Recently, NYK Stolt Tankers (NST), a joint venture between Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Stolt Tankers, announced the placement of an additional order for two 38,000 deadweight ton (dwt) stainless steel chemical tankers at Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Heavy Industry (Xiangyu Shipbuilding).
The two new vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, respectively, and will join the chemical tanker fleet operated by Stolt Tankers. Including the initial batch of six ships ordered in early last year, NST currently has a series of eight 38,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers on order at Xiangyu Shipbuilding.
This series of 38,000 dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tankers has an overall length of approximately 184.9 meters and a cargo tank capacity of 43,500 cubic meters, with a designed speed of 13.7 knots. This vessel type features 30 independent duplex stainless steel cargo tanks, offering excellent storage performance and high flexibility. It effectively blocks chemical permeation, significantly reduces cargo tank maintenance workload, and improves navigation safety and service life. The vessel design focuses on reducing energy consumption and emissions from the design stage. It utilizes a patented F-Bow design to optimize the hull lines, combined with SCR technology, enabling it to meet the International Maritime Organization’s Tier-III emission standards, balancing safety, economy, environmental friendliness, and comfort. Furthermore, this vessel type is equipped with shore power connection equipment to maximize fuel efficiency and has reserved space for future upgrades to methanol fuel and uninterrupted battery power, reaching new heights in environmental performance.
NYK stated that as demand for renewable energy grows in the pursuit of a decarbonized society, chemical tankers capable of transporting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), other renewable fuels, and their feedstocks are expected to see steady demand growth. To this end, NYK and Stolt Tankers are actively promoting the renewal and expansion of the chemical tanker fleet. By replacing older vessels with more fuel-efficient newbuilds, they aim to both advance decarbonization in the transportation process and prepare to meet the anticipated growth in chemical product transport demand.
It is understood that Stolt Tankers is a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited, the world’s largest chemical tanker owner. Established in 1959, Stolt Tankers operates the world’s largest chemical tanker fleet, providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and flexible transportation services for the world’s leading manufacturers and consumers of chemicals, edible oils, acids, and other bulk liquids. Currently, its fleet comprises over 160 vessels with a total capacity exceeding 2.6 million deadweight tons.
Including the latest orders, according to data from Clarksons, Xiangyu Shipbuilding’s current orderbook totals 72 vessels amounting to 3.963 million dwt. This includes 45 bulk carriers and 27 chemical tankers, with delivery schedules extending until 2029.
