Greek shipowner’s interest in new-built MR product tankers remains strong, with a number of shipowners recently ordering new vessels from Chinese and South Korean shipyards in this segment.
According to Allied Shipbroking, Athens-based shipping company Monte Nero Maritime has ordered four 50,000 dwt MR2 product tankers from China’s Huanghai Shipbuilding, which are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2027. The cost of the new vessels has not been disclosed.
This is the 3rd newbuilding order that Huanghai Shipbuilding has publicized this year, and also the 2nd MR product tanker order.
Another order came from Hong Kong company of New Legend Group, both parties signed a contract on April 30th for the construction of 2+2 50,000 DWT MR product tankers. With overall length of 182.75m, beam of 32.20m, structural draught of 49,990 tons, MR product tanker has 14 cargo tanks and is equipped with independent cargo pipes and hydraulic submerged pumps, which can load 7 kinds of cargoes at the same time, and meets the requirements of Tier Ⅲ emission and the third phase of the ship Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) standard.
Driven by market demand and other factors, Greek shipowners continue to invest in the MR product tanker newbuilding market with enthusiasm, and several shipowners have recently invested in shipbuilding in this tanker sector.
Industry analysts said that the MR product tanker newbuilding order comes amidst the increasing age of vessels in this market segment, with a large number of MR product tankers now set to reach 20 years.
British shipbroker Gibson noted in its recent report that MR product tankers between 15 and 19 years old account for 30% of the existing fleet, while another 13% are 20 years old or older. According to Gibson, as of the end of June, new orders for MR product tankers amounted to nearly 230 vessels, accounting for 13% of the existing fleet.