Odfjell beefs up chemical tanker orderbook

Norwegian chemical tanker owner and operator Odfjell has penned contracts to add three more vessels to its orderbook.

The Oslo-listed company revealed in its fourth-quarter earnings results it had signed up for one 25,000 dwt stainless steel newbuilding for delivery in 2026 and a pair of 49,000 dwt coated chemical tankers set to join the fleet in 2027 and 2028.

The first unit will be built at Japan’s Shin Kurushima shipyard and owned by Odfjell, while the two larger vessels, booked at Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding (YAMIC), will come via long-term charter deals.

The move will leave Odfjell with 18 vessels on order, including two owned units, that account for about 16% of the total orderbook in its core, deepsea segment.

In other fleet movements, Odfjell declared purchase options for three chartered-in stainless steel vessels in Q4 and took delivery of the 26,000 dwt newbuild Bow Tiger. One owned vessel was sold for recycling in early 2025, while another one has been classified as held for sale at the end of Q4.

The Bergen-headquartered outfit currently lists a fleet of 71 ships, with 36 owned.