Stainless Chemical Tankers News

Nordic Tankers and Borealis Maritime Ltd has announced the intention to form a jointly held company, Crystal Nordic A/S – a strong player in the short-sea, ice class chemical tanker trade in the Baltic and North-Western European market. Crystal Nordic A/S will be owned on a 50/50 basis by Nordic Tankers and Embarcadero Maritime (Borealis Maritime). The new company will take over the respective ice classed stainless chemical tankers businesses from its owners, which currently operate under the Nordic Tankers and Crystal Pool trade names. All other Nordic Tankers and Borealis Maritime operations and ventures are unaffected by the new partnership.

Tsuneishi have taken an order at their Cebu facility in the Philippines for a total of three 81,600 DWT Kamsarmax for Japanese buyers. Nissen Kaiun declared two further options taking their total series on order to five vessels, with an additional order for a single unit by Hisafuku Kisen – all due for delivery in 2016. In the smaller sizes, China Navigation announced an order for four firm 38,000 DWT Handysize at Imabari, with delivery planned for 2017. Clarkson Hellas note that a yet unknown Greek buyer has contracted one firm plus up to four option 15,500 DWT Self-Unloaders at Nantong Rainbow. Understood to be for use carrying rock salt, delivery is planned within 2016.

A relatively active past week in the dry bulk newbuilding market is noted by Clarkson Hellas in their S&P Weekly Bulletin. Oldendorff Carriers have contracted two firm plus two option 208,000 DWT Newcastlemax at Hantong Shipyard, with delivery of all four vessels in 2016. Oldendorff have also declared one further option at Jiangsu New Yangzijiang and two options at Taizhou CATIC all for 208,000 DWT Newcastlemax and delivering in 2016. Oldendorff are also understood by Clarkson Hellas to have declared two options for 82…