Essberger lifts option for two methanol-ready chemical tankers at Chinese yard

German shipping company John T. Essberger has executed an option for two additional 13,000 dwt chemical tankers with 1A ice class and stainless steel tanks at the Rainbow shipyard in Nantong, China.

The new order encompasses two vessels of the four options agreed under the initial shipbuilding contract signed in September 2024.

The vessels, with delivery scheduled to commence in April 2027, will be designed by the Swedish company FKAB and classed by DNV.

The tankers will feature a length of 132 meters, a breadth of 21.8 meters and a draught of 8.5 meters.

These ships will have the notation of Ice Class 1A, meet Tier III emission requirement, and be equipped with ‘innovative engines’ capable of running on methanol.

As previously reported, the newbuilds will be deployed in the E&S Tankers Pool, a joint venture between Essberger Tankers and Stolt Tankers formed in 2020.

The full series is expected to be delivered by mid-2028.

As part of the fleet modernization strategy, John T. Essberger christened the final ship in a series of four 7,135 dwt chemical tankers as well as LNG dual-fuel chemical tankers Eberhart Essberger and Heinrich Essberger in 2024.