Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 21, Odfjell, the Norwegian chemical tanker operator, and Japan’s Nissen Kaiun have established a new joint venture named Odfjell Hakata Maritime, based in Bergen, Norway, to operate a dedicated pool of stainless-steel chemical tankers.

The partnership combines ten modern vessels, with each partner contributing five ships. Nine of the tankers are already commercially managed within Odfjell Tankers’ global pool under existing charter agreements, while the tenth vessel will enter service in early December. The entire fleet will continue trading worldwide through Odfjell’s established commercial platform, covering all major deep-sea chemical routes.

Odfjell CEO Harald Fotland stated that the collaboration extends a long-standing relationship between the two companies and significantly strengthens Odfjell’s presence in the stainless-steel segment.

“Nissen Kaiun controls a significant fleet of advanced chemical tankers built to the highest quality and sustainability standards. With their contribution to this joint venture, we reinforce Odfjell’s position as one of the world’s leading and most energy-efficient chemical tanker operators,” he said.

The transaction will increase Odfjell’s available trading days by approximately 12 percent in 2026 compared to 2025, driven by the added tonnage and ongoing fleet renewal initiatives.

Odfjell Tankers will serve as commercial and operational manager for the joint fleet, ensuring coordinated scheduling across key chemical trade lanes and loading hubs worldwide.

Fotland highlighted growing demand for safe, efficient, and lower-emission transportation of chemicals. “We share a common goal of reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, and Japanese shipyards are frontrunners in quality and energy-saving technology,” he added.

Nissen Kaiun operates a large fleet exceeding 200 vessels across various shipping sectors, while Odfjell manages around 70 chemical tankers globally. The new entity, Odfjell Hakata Maritime, will commence full operations in December 2025 as a Norwegian-registered company headquartered in Bergen.

The joint venture enables both partners to optimize fleet utilization, enhance service offerings to chemical shippers, and capitalize on continued growth in global seaborne chemical volumes while advancing shared sustainability objectives through high-specification, energy-efficient tonnage.