US-based chemical tanker operator MT Maritime Management ordered four newbuildings in order to expand its fleet.

The ship operator has two 21,000dwt chemical tankers on order at Kitanihon Shipbuilding, which are slated for delivery in January and March of 2018, according to the company's website.

MT Maritime also has two 35,650dwt chemical tankers on order at Shin Kurushima Dockyard, due for delivery in June and October of 2018.

Prior to this, MT Maritime had six stainless steel chemical tankers on order at Shin Kurushima Dockyard.

The company announced that the first of these newbuildings, MTM Penang, was delivered in February, while MTM Santos, MTM Savannah, and MTM New York will be delivered between May and December.

MTM New Orleans and MTM Tortola will be delivered in March and June of 2016.

Including MTM Penang, MT Maritime now has 16 in-service chemical tankers.

Shipowners have been tempted to invest in chemical tankers in anticipation of a long-awaited market recovery.