Chemgas Shipping expands fleet with new and existing tonnage

With a newbuild trilogy underway, two of which have already been delivered, Chemgas Shipping has decided to also expand its fleet with existing tonnage. Four 3300-m3 semi-refrigerated LPG tankers were acquired from Italian owner Gas&Heat.

After the successful introduction of LPG tanker Gale in 2021 (3500 m3, pressurised), Chemgas took delivery of sister vessel Ghibli in June 2022. Ghibli is the second in a series of three bespoke designs to meet the latest requirements. By early 2023 Chemgas expects to complete this trilogy of high-spec tankers with the commissioning of the tanker Gust.

The sea/river and seagoing vessels (going to be) operated by Chemgas are:

Acquisition of existing tonnage

To further enhance its services in transporting chemical and industrial gases, Chemgas recently decided to purchase four existing LPG tankers from Gas&Heat.

Until now Chemgas was only active in the pressurised LPG market. With the acquisition of the four vessels, however, the company hopes to exploit new opportunities in the semi refrigerated market and to offer better service to existing customers.

Following a long standing Chemgas tradition, the latest additions to the fleet will be named after winds or have a wind related name. This time with a reference here and there to the Italian roots of the vessels.

The four tankers have been trading successfully in North West Europe as well as the Mediterranean Sea. The tankers were built at the Besiktas Shipyard between 2010 and 2014 in Turkey. The main specifications are:

• LOA: 88.4 m
• Beam: 15.0 m
• Summer draught: 6.5 m
• Corresponding deadweight: 3811 mt
• GT/NT: 3430/1029
• Class: Bureau Veritas
• Cargo capacity: 3300 m3/-48°C/9.97 bar

Meanwhile, the handover of the first vessel (Vortex) has taken place on the 27th of September in Barcelona. The next vessel, Vetra, is scheduled for delivery by the end of October and the Venturi and Vento will be transferred during the first half of January 2023.

With the latest newbuild program nearly completed and with the recent acquisition of the “Scali vessels”, Chemgas owns and operates a modern fleet of fifteen LPG coasters in the segment up to 3500 m3. Depending on market circumstances, the fleet is further reinforced with additional chartered in capacity.

Inland barging

Apart from the above mentioned sea going activities, Chemgas offers LPG barging on the Rhine river and ARA-area (Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp) with a versatile fleet of 29 LPG barges. Anticipating the environmental and energy challenges ahead, Chemgas wants to further develop its inland fleet for the future by adopting the latest technology and best possible sustainable fuels.

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