German tanker/dry bulk operator John T. Essberger Group is planning to order up to 10 methanol dual-fuel powered stainless steel chemical tankers to expand and modernize its fleet.
John T. Essberger is in talks with shipbuilders in China, South Korea, Japan and Turkey for the construction of up to 10 methanol dual-fuel powered stainless steel chemical tankers, industry sources said, adding that the company expects to send out tender documents to the shipbuilders in the coming weeks.
According to the report, the series of dual-fuel chemical tankers was developed in-house by John T. Essberger, with specifications ranging from 7,500 DWT to 13,000 DWT. Due to the complexity of the owner’s design and the construction characteristics of Japanese shipyards, it is unlikely that a Japanese manufacturer will be able to bid for the chemical tanker order.
Sven Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of John T. Essberger, said: “The tanker division is in the process of approaching shipbuilders for the construction of 7,500 dwt to 13,000 dwt newbuilding chemical tankers. The company plans to order up to 10 dual-fuel chemical tankers if it can find a shipbuilders that can deliver them on time and at a reasonable price. About 20 to 25 percent of the company’s fleet is aging, with an average age of more than 20 years, and there is a need for fleet renewal by ordering higher standard vessels to replace the older ones.”
Currently, John T. Esberger is weighing the pricing and delivery timing of newbuilding orders.With freight rates rising and the newbuilding market for containerships and tankers showing strength, shipbuilders are prioritizing taking orders for higher value-added vessels and improving margins by selling the last batch of slots for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
John T. Esberger said that if up to 10 methanol dual-fuel powered stainless steel chemical tankers are successfully ordered, they will be delivered and operated with partner Stolt Tankers in the E&S Tankers pool, which manages 47 vessels ranging from 2,800 dwt to 11,300 dwt.
John T. Esberger did not disclose the specific shipyard with which it is negotiating. However, Chinese shipbuilders seem to have a clear competitive advantage for this dual-fuel stainless steel chemical tanker order.
In 2021, John T. Esberger started its fleet renewal program by signing a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou (CMJL Yangzhou) for the construction of 4+4 liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered, dual-fueled, 6,600 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers.
This series of stainless steel chemical tankers is IMO Type II, equipped with twin natural gas LNG propulsion system and certified to Finnish/Swedish 1A Ice Class. With an overall length of 119.9 meters, a beam of 18 meters and a range of 6,500 nautical miles, the FKAB-designed vessels will sail mainly in Europe after delivered.
A few days ago, John T. Esberger has held a naming ceremony for the third and fourth chemical tankers in a series of four LNG dual-fuel powered chemical tankers built by CMJL Yangzhou. In December 2023, a naming ceremony was held for the first vessel in the series, the Liselotte Essberge.