Hamburg-based shipowner John T. Essberger has exercised the first option for two additional chemical tanker newbuildings in China.
Following the company’s announcement in December 2025 regarding the order of 2 + 2 + 2 chemical tankers of 7,900 dwt at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng, with the first delivery scheduled for the second half of 2028, the shipowner has now exercised the first option for two additional vessels.
Initially the company ordered two 7,900 dwt duplex stainless steel Ice Class 1A chemical tankers with 2 + 2 options from the China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng.
The order at the Chinese yard now stands at four chemical tankers, with options remaining for another two.
No price has been disclosed by the shipowner.
This latest investment brings the company’s total orderbook to eight chemical tankers, consisting of four 7,900 dwt vessels and four 13,800 dwt vessels, with deliveries scheduled between mid-2027 and September 2029.
JTE’s chemical tankers fleet is operating in the “E&S Tankers” joint venture with partner Stolt Nielsen.