Chinese-owned Pioneer Tanker has stepped up its presence in chemical tankers with a debut newbuilding deal for up to eight vessels.
The Singapore-based company ordered the 18,500-dwt IMO type 2/3 chemical tankers at Fujian Southeast Shipyard in China.
Shipbuilding sources said it ordered the vessels at the end of last year but the contract was never reported.
They added that Pioneer Tanker has firmed up seven of the eight newbuildings
The company is believed to be paying close to $33m each for the ships, which will comply with Phase 3 of the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index standards and Tier II NOx rules.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows Fujian Southeast is due to deliver two vessels in the second half of 2025 and five in 2026.
Officials at Pioneer Tanker were not available for comment.
Launched in 2021, Pioneer Tanker is a subsidiary of China’s Pioneer Logistics. The group owns three other Singapore-registered companies, Pioneer Bulk, Pioneer Line and Y&D Marine, and Ningbo Zrich Shipping in China.
The Fujian Southeast contract is Pioneer Tanker’s first newbuilding deal.
The company grew its fleet by acquiring tankers previously ordered or owned by Xihe Holdings. Pioneer Tanker’s website shows it has a fleet of 11 ships.
Sources said the company acquired six 34,800-dwt tankers originally ordered by Xihe at Fujian Southeast at the end of 2021.
They were the 2021-built Bowmore and Laphroaig, and the 2022-built Lagavulin, Arran, Ardmore and Aberlour.
Two of its small product carriers, the 12,000-dwt Longrow (built 2018) and 13,800-dwt Longmorn (built 2019), were also once owned by Xihe.
Pioneer Tanker says it also owns the 34,700-dwt Dictador (built 2019) and two 12,000-dwt tankers, Littlemill (built 2018) and Linkwood (built 2017).
But S&P Global’s IHS Markit database shows the Dictador was sold to London-based Union Maritime at the end of last year for $29.2m. The tanker has been renamed Watson.
