James Fisher has doubled its tally of dual-fuel chemical tanker newbuildings in China.
The UK tanker owner has ordered two LNG dual-fuel 6,000-dwt vessels at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou (CMJL Yangzhou).
Shipping players said the pair were options attached to a newbuilding contract James Fisher placed in October.
By exercising the option ships, the company now has four LNG dual-fuel 6,000-dwt chemical carriers on order at the Chinese shipyard.
The order is said to be part of the James Fisher’s fleet-renewal programme.
Shipping sources said James Fisher is paying between $27m and $28m each for the LNG dual-fuel tankers. The newbuildings will be built to the International Maritime Organization’s type 2 chemical-handling standards.
TradeWinds understands CMJL Yangzhou will be delivering two newbuildings in 2025 and two in 2026.
James Fisher is 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 tanker company said the dual-fuel tanker duo can achieve a 45% reduction in carbon emissions, a 93% reduction in NOx and a 45% reduction in SOx. They are also replacement ships for the company.
CMJL Yangzhou is one of the shipyards under China Merchants Industry Holdings. It is reputed for building chemical tankers.
Clarksons’ SIN portal shows the Chinese yard’s orderbook stands at 33 including one 5,500-cbm LNG carrier.
Shipping companies that are building vessels there include Belgium’s Compagnie Maritime Belge, Pritchard-Gordon, Terntank and Sirius Shipping.
