JOINT venture partners NYK and Stolt-Nielsen are expanding their fleet renewal program, doubling an earlier Stolt order for 38,000 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers.
The latest order has been placed with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China, with the six vessels to be sisterships to Stolt Tankers’ order of six ships from Wuhu Shipyard announced in November. The latest orders are for delivery between late 2026 and 2029.
The ships feature 30 cargo tanks, offering a range of cargo flexibility and are designed to maximise fuel efficiency using a wide range of energy savings devices and shore power connection. They can also be retrofitted for battery and methanol propulsion, supporting Stolt Tankers’ commitment to the energy transition.
“This order reflects our strategy to maintain scale of our core 38,000 DWT fleet by adding newbuildings not otherwise available in the second-hand market in a capital efficient way through our NST joint venture.” Udo Lange, Stolt-Nielsen CEO, said. “These newbuildings will replace ships retiring from our fleet from 2026, ensuring our customers continue to enjoy the flexibility and service quality Stolt Tankers is known for.”
Hironobu Watanabe, NYK Line managing executive officer and chief executive of the company’s Energy Division, added: “I am pleased to have reached this newbuilding order with Stolt Tankers, our long-time partner for over 30 years. By replacing the vessels with ones that are more fuel-efficient, we can provide stable transportation services to our customers while promoting an energy transition.
“The cooperation of concerned parties for the completion of vessels is needed, and I am confident that the teams of Stolt Tankers, NYK, and Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard will be able to accomplish this task.”
The two shipping companies jointly serve the Australasian market through Stolt NYK Asia Pacific Services, which operates a fleet of 13 stainless steel chemical tankers and celebrated its 30th birthday last Wednesday [30 January]. Last November Stolt Tankers and NYK announced that Japan’s ENEOS Ocean Corporation had joined the SNAPS partnership and two of its 11,500 DWT ships were added to the pool.
Milestone celebrations were attended Stolt Tankers’ MD Bjarke Nissen, NYK executive officer, Yuji Nishijima, and director of ENEOS Ocean Corporation, Masahito Hirano. They were joined by more than 70 guests including customers, vendors and employees.
