Wind-ready chemical tankers ordered in China
Rendering of the new tanker design (Source: GEFO)
Two 7,900dwt chemical carriers with stainless steel tanks have been ordered by Hamburg-based GEFO Shipping Group at Nantong Xianhyu Shipyard in China. The two vessels have been designed ‘ready’ for the installation of Flettner rotor wind sails and possible conversion to methanol propulsion in the future. The shipyard contract contains options for two more vessels.
The chemical tankers will have ice class 1A, with hulls optimised for the demanding weather conditions that often prevail in the North and Baltic Seas. The output of the main engines has been reduced, the company said, thereby facilitating operation in the most economical speed range.
The two firm newbuildings boost GEFO’s ships on order to twelve: the company ordered ten stainless steel tankers of a fuel-saving design in January. The owner has an annual turnover of around EUR 600 million and operates about 150 specialised tankers including chemical, gas, and mineral oil vessels that navigate the Rhine from the Netherlands to Switzerland.
The company’s earlier EUR 400 million investment programme for 13 new stainless- steel tankers has now been followed with another capital allocation of EUR 300 million. Besides its twelve-ship orderbook, the company also has one gas tanker and two chemical carriers on order and has already purchased two other vessels suitable for Rhine navigation.
