Copenhagen-headquartered tanker owner and operator Maersk Tankers has signed a USD 300 million contract with Samsung Heavy Industries Ningbo shipyard in China for the construction of nine 49,940 dwt Medium Range product tankers.
The contract was signed today at Maersk Tankers’ office in Copenhagen by Claus Grønborg, VP and Head of Business Development of Maersk Tankers, and a representative from Samsung’s London Office.
“The vessels will support our Taking Lead strategy in the Product segment and maintain our strong focus on cost effectiveness. The renewal of our fleet will help us to stay environmentally efficient, competitive and better equipped to meet our customers demands,” Grønborg said.
The nine vessels, whose flag states have not yet been determined, will join Maersk Tankers fleet during 2017 and 2018.
“We are very happy that Maersk Tankers has chosen Samsung Heavy Industries Ningbo to build and deliver nine MR product tankers of the latest eco friendly design,” the Samsung representative said.
As of today, Maersk Tankers owns and operates a fleet of 80 owned and 20 chartered product tankers on water, with seventeen MRs on order, 8 at SungDong, South Korea, to be delivered in 2015-2016, and these nine ordered today at SHI Ningbo.