Thenamaris adds new Shanghai Waigaoqiao-built Aframax tanker to its fleet

Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has handed over the third vessel in a series of 114,000 dwt Aframax product tankers constructed for Greek shipping player Thenamaris.

As disclosed, the newbuilding, christened Isabella, was unveiled on February 24, 2025. The Malta-flagged tanker measures 250 meters in length and features a beam of 44 meters. Its cargo tank capacity is estimated at 130,000 cbm.

According to Thenamaris, the newbuild has been outfitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), otherwise known as scrubbers, devices that use either seawater (open-loop), freshwater with chemical additives (closed-loop), or a combination of both (hybrid) to capture and neutralize sulfur oxide (SOx) from exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere.

What is more, it is understood that Isabella is part of a new generation of Aframax tankers independently developed and designed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.

Per the builder, the series comprises an array of technological ‘improvements’, such as energy-saving ducts, an ‘optimized’ main engine, hydrodynamic performance optimization, as well as vortex fins, which are said to improve a ship’s fuel efficiency by minimizing resistance and optimizing water flow around the hull and propeller.

These specifications are projected to ‘significantly’ improve the vessel’s energy efficiency, with its Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) described as “already meeting” the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Phase 3 requirements for 2025.

In addition to this, representatives from SWS shared that the tanker complies with Tier III nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission standards and sulfur oxide (SOx) emission regulations.

Isabella is not the first Aframax newbuilding operated by Thenamaris to be delivered by SWS this year. Namely, at the beginning of January 2025, the Chinese shipbuilding player rolled the red carpet for the 114,000 dwt long-range 2 (LR2) tanker Seascout. As informed, the 250-meter-long ship is also NOx III-compliant as well as in line with the third phase of EEDI.

The year 2025 is set to be peppered with a wide range of vessel deliveries for Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, with more than 20 ships waiting to be handed over this year. These include 8,600 CEU LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), 7,000 TEU medium-sized containerships, and 114,000 dwt Aframax product tankers.