Recently, UK shipowner Union Maritime has signed a contract with Japan’s Fukuoka Shipbuilding for the construction of two 19,900 dwt chemical tankers, which are expected to be delivered in December 2025 and June 2026, respectively.
Union Maritime’s official website shows that it was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and currently has a fleet of 76 vessels, including 42 tankers, 12 bulk carriers, 2 offshore vessels and 20 new vessels under construction. The hull numbers of the two newbuildings constructed by Fukuoka Shipbuilding are F-1360 and F-1361, whose specific prices have not yet been announced.
Notably, in addition to the two newbuildings built by Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Union Maritime’s other 18 newbuildings are all built by Chinese shipyards. In the first quarter of 2023, Union Maritime placed an order for four 18,500 dwt chemical tankers with a total value of US$240 million with Mawei Shipbuilding and Wuhu Shipyard respectively. This order increases Union Maritime’s order book for 18,500 dwt chemical tankers at Wuhu Shipyard to six vessels.
Besides, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) and CSSC’ Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding each contracted two 114,000 dwt LR2 product tankers; Fujian Southeast Shipyard is responsible for the construction of the other two 18,500 dwt chemical tankers.