Stolt Tankers and NYK have struck a deal with Japanese shipowner Eneos Ocean Corp to bolster their Asian chemical tanker services.
Eneos is contributing two carriers to what is described as a new pool within the long-standing partners’ Stolt NYK Asia Pacific Services (SNAPS).
The 12,000-dwt tankers will join the SNAPS pool before the end of this year.
Eneos has six small chemical ships among its mixed fleet of VLCCs, VLGCs and bulkers.
Lucas Vos, the Rotterdam-based president of Stolt Tankers, said: “By adding tonnage from Eneos Ocean’s top-tier platform, Stolt Tankers and NYK have demonstrated their ability to generate value in a highly competitive market.
“We expect these two ships to enhance our overall service offering across Asia by increasing logistical flexibility while continuing to provide best-in-class environmental and safety standards.”
Vos said the deal expands Stolt Tankers’ presence in the region while adding another tonnage partner in Japan.
“I would like to thank NYK and Eneos Ocean for their dedication to bringing this partnership to life, and the trust they have placed in us,” Vos said.
Stolt and NYK have been working together for decades.
NYK Stolt Shipholdings, the 50:50 joint venture, controls 11 small chemical carriers, while the NYK Stolt Tankers’ partnership has eight larger vessels.
Stolt Tankers is in the frame as a seller of two 2005-built J19-type vessels to Oslo-listed rival Stainless Tankers.
The Norwegian company said it had spent $27m on vessels of around 20,000 dwt.
The ships were not named, but Stolt Tankers and Japan’s Iino Kaiun both have two vessels of around this size built in 2005.
