China's Nantong Mingde Heavy Industry Group has signed a newbuilding contract for a pair of 33,000-dwt stainless chemical tankers, with optional six vessels more, with J.O. Invest AS on November 26.
The stainless chemical carrier will be built to Mingde's proprietary design, which expanded deadweight tonnages of its 30,000-dwt by 10%.
The newbuilding tanker is boasted to be an eco-friendly vessel, which reduced fuel costs by around 30%.
According to Clarkson, Mingde has 28 vessels - 17 bulkers, five chemical tankers, five chip carriers, etc. - of a cumulative 1.07m dwt on order.