Kyriakou family-controlled Greek shipowner Athenian Sea Carriers has extended a series of chemical tanker newbuildings in China.
The company has inked two IMO type 2/3 handysizes at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry, lifting its on-order newbuilding tally at the yard to 10.
Athenian Holdings chief executive Jens Martin Jensen confirmed the contract.
“We have exercised the option for a further two vessels and now have 10 on order at Wuchang Shipbuilding,” said Jensen.
“We are looking forward to taking delivery of the first vessel in mid-2025 in a market with an overaged and shrinking fleet and tightening regulations, not just on emissions and fuel types, but also to a growing trading pattern with some of these fuels.”
The price has yet to emerge but the eight ships ordered last year were reported to cost about $30m each.
The ships will comply with Phase 3 of the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index standards and Tier II NOx rules.
Sources said Wuchang is scheduled to deliver the tankers between 2025 and 2027.
A Wuchang official declined to comment when contacted by TradeWinds.
Historically, the company has focused on VLCCs but has been reducing its tanker fleet in the past few years — selling six VLCCs between 2021 and 2023.
The Hyundai-built 317,000-dwt Captain X Kyriakou (built 2013) is the only tanker in its fleet until it starts taking delivery of the 18,500-dwt newbuildings.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows the orderbook for 18,500-dwt chemical tankers stands at 38 units.
Shipping companies that have ordered this ship type include EGPN Bulk, Donsotank Reederei, Union Maritime and Seacon Shipping.
