UK tanker owner James Fisher has ordered up to four dual-fuelled product and chemical tanker newbuildings in China.
Shipbuilding sources said the London-listed shipowner struck a deal with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou (CMJL Yangzhou) for two firm, LNG dual-fuel, 6,000-dwt tanker newbuildings. The contract includes options for two additional vessels.
The order is understood to be part of the company’s fleet-renewal programme.
TradeWinds was unable to contact officials at CMJL Yangzhou, while James Fisher had not yet responded to emails seeking confirmation.
Sources said the newbuildings will be built to the International Maritime Organization’s type 2 chemical-handling standards and are scheduled for delivery in 2025.
The price was not revealed, but shipbuilding brokers estimated a cost of around $27m to $28m apiece.
James Fisher is said to be familiar with CMJL Yangzhou, which was formerly known as AVIC Dingheng Shipbuilding. The shipyard built two of its vessels — the LNG dual-fuel, 6,100-dwt tankers Sir John Fisher (built 2022) and Lady Maria Fisher (built 2023).
The Sir John Fisher was the company’s first chemical tanker to incorporate LNG dual-fuel propulsion technology.
James Fisher took delivery of the Sir John Fisher in November last year.
The Lady Maria Fisher was delivered to the shipowner in February. A sister ship to the Sir John Fisher, the chemical tanker currently transports vegetable oil from Vietnam to Europe, which will then be processed into biodiesel.
James Fisher said the Chinese-built LNG dual-fuel tanker duo can achieve a 45% reduction in carbon emissions, a 93% reduction in NOx and a 45% reduction in SOx.
The shipowner said the two tankers are replacement ships, and they are able to carry more cargo.
“Both vessels have been specifically designed for restricted access ports around the coastline of northern Europe, which will enable [James Fisher] to better service existing long-term contracts,” the company said.
“The vessels will reduce the fleet’s overall GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions and will also help customers looking to contribute to sustainability improvements.”
