China’s largest chemical tanker specialist Shanghai Junzheng Shipping (SC Shipping) has extended its orderbook for stainless steel chemical tanker newbuildings to 22 vessels.
Industry sources said the Shanghai-listed company has penned orders for five newbuildings each at China State Shipbuilding-controlled Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry and China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Yangzhou (CMJL Yangzhou).
Sources said the Chinese company ordered the 25,900-dwt vessels by exercising options held at the two yards.
The move means SC Shipping now has 10 newbuildings on order at Wuchang Shipbuilding and 12 ships at CMJL Yangzhou.
SC Shipping is scheduled to take delivery of the new stainless steel chemical tankers between 2026 and 2028.
The company is said to be paying an average of about $44.3m per tanker, bringing its total spending on the 22 newbuildings to be close to $975m.
The newbuildings will meet the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III NOx standards and the Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase 3 specifications.
SC Shipping did not reply to email queries on the newbuildings.
The company has ordered the chemical tankers as part of its fleet renewal and expansion programme.
SC Shipping’s parent company, Junzheng Group, has said the vessels are the “next generation” of tankers and would allow its shipping arm to optimise its fleet structure, expand market share and stay competitive.
The new ships will also enhance its operational capabilities and enable it to respond better to customers’ requirements and provide improved services.
The tankers are designed by Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering.
The vessels will each be equipped with 22 tanks and are said to be environmentally friendly and energy-saving. They will have a service speed of 14 knots.
SC Shipping was formed in 2019 when Inner Mongolia’s privately owned Junzheng Group took over state-owned Sinochem International Logistics, including its 84-strong chemical carrier fleet and a global tank container operation.
The company operates 82 chemical tankers ranging from 3,000 dwt to 40,000 dwt.
Its total fleet capacity is about 1.14m dwt and its annual trading volume is about 10m tonnes.
The fleet trades in domestic and international markets.
SC Shipping is also due to take delivery of two 9,200-dwt chemical tanker newbuildings from Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry at end of this year and in early 2025.
