Wedoany.com Report-Dec.27, John T. Essberger, a Hamburg-based German chemical tanker owner, has advanced its fleet renewal initiative by contracting up to six newbuildings at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng shipyard. 

The company has signed firm orders for two 7,900 dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tankers, accompanied by options for an additional two plus two vessels. Designed specifically for chemical parcel trades in Northern Europe, the ships will feature Ice Class 1A certification. The first delivery is set for August 2028.

These new vessels form part of a sustained program to replace aging tonnage with modern, efficient, and environmentally optimized units that meet current regulatory standards and operational requirements.

The latest contracts follow recent activity in Essberger’s expansion efforts. In late 2024, the owner ordered up to six 13,000 dwt Ice Class 1A chemical tankers at Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment. Earlier, in 2021, eight stainless steel parcel tankers were booked at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard.

Four larger 13,800 dwt chemical tankers are presently under construction at the Rainbow yard and will enter service before the new 7,900 dwt series.

Eberhart von Rantzau, managing owner of John T. Essberger, stated: “We are committed to replacing our older ships with new, environmentally optimised tonnage. These vessels are specially designed for the demands of coastal chemical shipping in Europe and will further strengthen our fleet from 2028 onwards.”

The new tankers will measure 119.9 meters in length with an 18-meter beam and a maximum draught of 6.85 meters. They will offer a cargo tank capacity of approximately 8,950 cubic meters, providing enhanced flexibility for specialized chemical transportation.

John T. Essberger operates its chemical tanker fleet through the E&S Tankers joint venture with Stolt-Nielsen. This partnership enables efficient management and deployment of assets across European coastal and regional routes.

The choice of China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng reflects the yard’s growing reputation for delivering high-quality stainless steel chemical tankers on schedule. Chinese shipyards continue to support international owners in achieving fleet modernization goals through advanced construction techniques and competitive capabilities.

This series of orders demonstrates Essberger’s proactive approach to maintaining a competitive and sustainable operation. By introducing vessels with improved fuel efficiency and lower environmental impact, the company ensures continued reliability for customers in the chemical shipping sector.

Overall, the investment underscores confidence in the long-term prospects of Northern European chemical parcel trades and reinforces Essberger’s position as a leading provider in this specialized market segment.