The Hamburg-based tanker shipping company GEFO has almost completed its large newbuilding program, but is now adding to it with further orders.
The current newbuilding program, which involves an investment of €400 million, will be completed with the delivery of the last newbuilding expected this summer. However, GEFO – founded in 1961 as a company for oil transportation – is now placing another order.
A further ten ships have been ordered from the Xiangyu shipyard in Nantong, China. According to the company, these are smaller chemical tankers with stainless steel tanks, each with a carrying capacity of 3,850 dwt. According to the company, it is once again investing a three-digit million sum.
GEFO optimizes newbuildings
These new seagoing vessels have been further optimized compared to the last series. As a result, they consume less fuel than previous designs and also produce correspondingly lower emissions. Delivery is scheduled for 2026 to 2028.
The tankers are also designed in such a way that various environmentally friendly optimizations can be made at a later date and innovative fuels can be used. According to the information provided, this could also include the installation of Flettner rotors as an auxiliary wind propulsion system. This is because GEFO wants to be CO₂-neutral by 2045 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.
These newbuilds will serve to expand the GEFO fleet and replace ships that will reach the maximum age of 20 years accepted by most chemical shippers between 2028 and 2030.
The family-run shipping company’s fleet currently comprises 150 tankers, including 25 seagoing vessels, including chemical, gas and mineral oil tankers that are used on the Rhine and in the ARA chemical triangle. With this fleet, the company generates an annual turnover of €500 to 600 million.
