Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. (GSI), together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), has signed a shipbuilding contract with China Merchants Nanjing Tanker Co., Ltd. (Nanjing Tanker) for four 50,000-dwt MR chemical/product tankers on July 29.

The new order further strengthens the long-term partnership between GSI and Nanjing Tanker. Over the past 16 years, the two companies have maintained close cooperation, with GSI having delivered 12 high-quality MR tankers to Nanjing Tanker. In addition, four MR tankers and four LR1 product tankers are currently under construction at GSI.

The newly contracted vessels are based on GSI’s latest 16th-generation MR tanker design, an upgraded proprietary design developed to meet modern operational requirements and future environmental challenges.

Each vessel will have an overall length of 183 metres, a breadth of 32.2 metres, a design draft of 13.2 metres and a deadweight capacity of approximately 49,900 tonnes. The vessels will achieve a service speed of 14.5 knots, comply with IMO Tier III emission requirements and meet EEDI Phase III energy-efficiency standards.

The design focuses on full life-cycle operational performance, incorporating optimized hull lines, lightweight structure, reduced fuel consumption and strong port adaptability. The vessels are also designed with enhanced cargo system compatibility, enabling efficient transportation of various liquid cargoes.

In response to the maritime industry’s decarbonization transition, the new MR tankers will be compatible with lower-carbon biofuels for current operations and reserved with space and interfaces for future methanol dual-fuel conversion, providing shipowners with a flexible pathway from near-term emissions compliance to future low-carbon operations.

The latest contract highlights continued market recognition of GSI’s capabilities in MR tanker design, construction quality and project execution. With extensive experience across the tanker segment, GSI has developed a comprehensive capability covering ship design, engineering and large-scale construction, further strengthening its position in the global chemical and product tanker market.

The project also reflects growing demand for modern, efficient and future-ready tanker tonnage as shipowners seek to balance operational competitiveness with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.