Swedish shipowner Veritas Tankers has placed an order for up to six 13,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers at China’s Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment, in a newbuilding deal valued at up to $248 million.
The contract was disclosed by the shipyard’s Shenzhen-listed parent, Jiangsu Rainbow Heavy Industries, in a stock exchange filing. The company put the total value of the six-vessel package, including options, at between CNY1.5 billion and CNY1.65 billion ($225 million–$248 million).
Although the Chinese shipbuilding group did not identify the customer, shipbroking sources have named Sweden’s Rederi AB Veritas Tankers as the buyer. Neither Veritas Tankers nor the shipyard has publicly confirmed the shipowner’s identity, with Rainbow citing commercial confidentiality.
The filing did not clarify how many vessels are covered by firm orders and how many are options. Deliveries are scheduled to commence 28 months after the contract signing.
The 13,000 dwt stainless steel vessels are designed for parcel chemical transportation, with specifications tailored to restricted waterways and operating conditions in northern Europe.
The latest contract further strengthens Rainbow’s position in the European chemical tanker newbuilding market. The Nantong-based yard previously secured an order from Germany’s John T. Essberger for two firm 13,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, along with options for four additional vessels. Deliveries under that programme are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Essberger order forms part of the German owner’s fleet renewal strategy and its investment in the E&S Tankers Pool, operated in partnership with Stolt Tankers.
Veritas Tankers has been wholly owned and controlled by Ove Johnsson since 2022. The Swedish shipowner currently operates a fleet of five chemical tankers, and the latest reported order could represent a significant expansion and renewal of its fleet capacity.