Stolt-Nielsen announced  that its subsidiary, Stolt Tankers B.V., has reached an agreement with Wuhu Shipyard to build six 38,000 deadweight tonne stainless steel parcel tankers for delivery between 2026 and 2028, with additional options for a further six newbuildings.

The ships are designed to maximise fuel efficiency using modern engine design, hull form optimisation, a wide range of energy savings devices, and shore power connection, with the additional benefit that they can also be converted for future battery and methanol propulsion. The new ships will have 30 stainless steel cargo tank segregations offering a wide range of cargo flexibility and reflecting the evolving needs of our customers.

Udo Lange, Chief Executive Officer, Stolt-Nielsen Limited, said, “Following our well-timed acquisitions of 10 secondhand ships since 2021, now is the right time to invest in newbuildings. This deal positions Stolt Tankers for the future by improving flexibility and maintaining our fleet size as we retire older ships from our network between 2026 and 2030.

“It also reflects our strategy to add modern, fuel-efficient ships to our fleet to support our customers by improving our service offering and making their supply chains simpler and more sustainable. Not only will these new ships help Stolt Tankers in its ambition to reduce its carbon intensity by 50% (relative to the 2008 baseline) by 2030, but they will also help reduce customers’ Scope 3 emissions. These newbuildings put our strong balance sheet and cash flow generation to work to deliver sustainable shareholder returns while maintaining our position as the world’s largest operator of chemical tankers.”