Keel laid for James Fisher's newest chemical tanker

China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard recently laid the keel of a new chemical tanker ordered by UK-based shipowner James Fisher and Sons.

Orca Fisher will be the first in a series of four vessels that will be powered by alternative fuels. All four ships are scheduled to join the James Fisher fleet from early 2026, fulfilling what the company said is the long-term demand for mid-sized ships in the coastal shipping markets of northwest Europe.

The new tankers will carry oil products and IMO Class II chemicals and will have LNG dual-fuel propulsion capability.

James Fisher said that a number of features that will be incorporated in the newbuildings have been carried over from the most recent additions to the company’s fleet, the vessels Sir John Fisher and Lady Maria Fisher. These include optimised hull forms, waste heat recovery through cooling water and exhaust gas, 100 per cent LED lighting, and environmentally controlled engine room fans.

The company said the vessels will also incorporate energy efficiency measures to help reduce emissions while in port.