China’s Nanjing Tanker has strengthened its newbuilding programme with an order for two LR1 panamax crude/product carriers.

The Shanghai-listed owner， part of China Merchants Group， has contracted the 65，000 dwt units at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. The deal is valued at around $137m， with delivery set for the second half of 2028.

The move adds to an earlier order placed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng for a 9，500 cum ethylene carrier， worth about $51m， due in the first half of 2028.

Nanjing Tanker， which controls a fleet of more than 70 ships， has been steadily modernizing its fleet. Over the past year， it has booked a mix of MR， LR1 and LR2 tankers， all at domestic yards. The latest LR1 order brings its tally in this segment to six， with four booked for construction at Guangzhou Shipyard International.

The company said the fresh contracts are aimed at “optimizing the crude oil fleet capacity structure， improving fleet operation capabilities， and enhancing the company’s crude oil transportation market.”