Belgium-based shipping and logistics group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) has returned to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou (CMJL Yangzhou) to order a series of stainless steel chemical tankers, according to Trade Winds sources.
CMB has placed an order with CMJL Yangzhou for two additional “ammonia reserved” 25,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, which are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024, sources said. CMB is said to have signed a newbuilding contract “some time ago”, but the deal was not reported.
Founded in 1895, Compagnie Maritime Belge has a fleet of about 150 vessels, including dry bulk carriers, container ships, chemical tankers and offshore wind turbines, operated by Bocimar, Delphis, Bochem and Windcat.
Currently, CMB is further expanding its fleet. At the end of November 2023, CMB’s cleantech company CMB.Tech, in cooperation with Belgium’s shipping company Boeckmans, placed an order with Vietnam’s Dung Quat Shipyard for four “Hydrogen Reserved” diesel-electric-powered 5,000 dwt general cargo vessels, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. CMB’s crew transfer vessel operator Windcat has placed an order for two additional hydrogen-powered commissioning service operating vessels (CSOVs) with Damen Shipyards Group in the Netherlands, increasing its CSOV order book with Damen Shipyards to five vessels, with an option for a sixth.
