Ardmore undertakes cargo tank recoating, expands cargo flexibility

Ardmore Shipping has completed a midlife cargo tank recoating programme on six product and chemical tankers, saying the work has widened cargo flexibility and reduced cleaning times.

The programme covered two South Korean-built D Class tankers – Ardmore Defender and Ardmore Dauntless – and four Japanese-built C Class vessels – Ardmore Cheyanne, Ardmore Cherokee, Ardmore Chinook and Ardmore Chippewa.

The vessels are 10 years old and were originally delivered with epoxy-coated cargo tanks.

Ardmore Shipping cargo manager Cristin Nutu said the work was intended to improve commercial flexibility rather than replace tonnage.

“This recoating strategy is about keeping our ships ready for what the market demands today. Speed, flexibility and the ability to handle challenging cargo sequences are critical to capturing favourable freight economics,” Mr Nutu said.

The recoated ships can now target a broader range of cargoes, “We now have greater cargo versatility, as MarineLINE supports a wider range of chemicals, including demanding, high-specification grades,” Mr Nutu said.

He added, “As a result, our fleet can pursue a broader set of backhaul cargoes and repositioning options, capturing favourable freight economics and reducing exposure to ballast-only legs when market conditions shift.”

Mr Nutu also linked the recoating work to lower cleaning effort and reduced operational pressure on crews, “Reduced cleaning times can also drive secondary benefits. We will use fewer chemicals and less water, along with shorter steaming, and port stays related to tank readiness will decrease workloads and the pressure on crew, lowering the total cost of the operation across the cargo cycle,” he said.