German owner GEFO is expanding its fleet with an order for 10 stainless steel chemical tankers at the Xiangyu shipyard in Nantong, China.
A three-digit million-dollar sum will see the 3,850 dwt ships delivered between 2026 and 2028.
In 2022, GEFO launched a €400m ($430m) investment programme in a series of newbuilds and modern secondhand tonnage. The last newbuild is expected to deliver this summer.
The new series will be further optimised compared to the last newbuilds to consume less fuel and have been designed to implement “various environmentally friendly optimisations” at a later stage, including new fuels.
“These newbuilds will serve to expand GEFO’s fleet and replace some of the vessels that will reach the maximum age of 20 years accepted by most chemical shippers between 2028 and 2030,” the company said.
GEFO’s fleet comprises about 150 tankers, including chemical, gas and mineral oil tankers, which are deployed on the Rhine and in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) chemical triangle.
