Chinese builder floats out new inland chemical tanker

China's Jiangxi New Jiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry launched a new stainless steel chemical tanker at its facilities on Tuesday, April 15.

The ship is the first in a new series of two chemical tankers being built in collaboration with Mercurius Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Mercurius Shipping Group. Upon delivery, it will be operated by Dutch shipping company Oudcomb in inland waterways in Europe.

The completed tanker will have a length of 135 metres and 18 tanks that can accommodate up to 300 different kinds of liquid cargo. The tanks will be full integrated into the hull, which is being built to possess improved resistance to corrosion.

New Jiangzhou Shipbuilding is responsible for the construction of the tanker's hull. It will later be transported to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Mercurius Shipbuilding's facilities.

Construction of the new chemical tankers for Oudcomb is being undertaken in compliance with Lloyd's Register class rules.