Sweden-based Gothia Tanker Alliance has ordered four dual-fuel intermediate product/chemical tankers with LNG propulsion from Avic Dingheng Shipbuilding in China.

No contract price was unveiled by the alliance, which is comprised of partners Furetank, Älvtank and Thun Tankers.

Furetank will own two of the 16,300dwt vessels and Älvtank and Thun Tankers will each own one of the new vessels, which will be delivered from 2018 to 2019.

The newbuildings will be commercially managed by Furetank Chartering as part of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, according to a statement.

The tankers will have cargo capacity of 20,000cbm and will be built to a design developed by FKAB with Furetank.

The engines will have dual-fuel/LNG propulsion and will be able to run off the liquefied gas while in port, as well as use it to produce inert gas.

The dual-fuel design aims to reduce the tankers' CO2 emissions by 50%, NOx by 84%, SOx by 99% and particulate matter by 99%, compared with using conventional marine fuels. This satisfies the Tier III NOx emission standards for ships within IMO emission control areas (ECAs), which will take effect in 2016.

The 149.9-metre-long tankers will also feature power production with floating frequency, and will be fitted with a battery back-up system to minimize the use of the auxiliary engines.

The newbuildings will also have a ballast water cleaning system installed onboard, and will have ice class 1A notation.