Odfjell steps up fleet renewal with four wind-assisted super-segregators

Norway’s Odfjell has secured four new 40,000-dwt fully stainless-steel chemical parcel tankers in Japan.

Under the agreements with Kitanihon Shipbuilding, the newbuild quartet will join the Odfjell fleet upon completion between Q1 2027 and Q2 2029.

The Oslo-listed chemical carrier owner said the ships have been contracted at competitive pricing, with a total transaction value of approximately $US290M. Payment will be made in line with standard industry practice, with instalments spread across the construction phase and the final balance due upon delivery.

Designed for enhanced efficiency, the vessels, equipped with wind-assisted propulsion sails, will comply with proposed EEDI Phase 5 requirements, offering a 50% CO2 reduction against the IMO’s 2009 baseline. Their Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) is expected to be 25% lower than the most efficient 40,000-dwt ships currently in the Odfjell fleet.

“The four acquired vessels will be our next-generation super-segregators, tailored for our core deep-sea trades. With a modern design and equipped with sails, gate rudder and other novel energy-saving technologies, they set a new standard for fuel efficiency,” said Odfjell chief executive Harald Fotland.

The acquisition follows a period of strategic tonnage replacement. Since Q2 2025, the company has recycled three ageing super-segregators and divested the newbuilding contract for a 26,000-dwt vessel currently under construction in China.

Last month, the company launched the 25,000-dwt stainless-steel tanker Bow Fortitude at the Fukuoka yard in Japan. With 24 tanks and optimised cargo flexibility, it is one of 10 vessels slated to join the fleet this year.

In March, Bow Erikson also joined the company’s 40,000 dwt super-segregator fleet. The 28-tank stainless-steel newbuild is equipped with four foldable Econowind suction sails.

As of April, Odfjell operates a 72-ship fleet, 38 of which are owned.