Stena Bulk held a naming ceremony for its two new IMOIIMAX tankers at the Chinese shipyard GSI (Guangzhou Shipbuilding International) in Guangzhou, in southeast China, on August 22.
The Stena Imperator and her sister Stena Imprimis are no 11 and 12, in a series of 13 identical IMOIIMAX tankers all ordered by Stena Bulk. The 13th and last IMOIIMAX tanker will be delivered in January next year.
IMOIIMAX is an innovative technical design developed by Stena Teknik together with the Chinese shipyard GSI, that offers extra large cargo flexibility, a high level of safety and fuel consumption – 10-20% lower than that of equivalent vessels when sailing at service speed.
“It was a spectacular sight with the two sister tankers beside each other and the somewhat unusual situation as such made the naming ceremony a bit special and extra festive. We are now approaching the final delivery of our large order consisting of 13 IMOIIMAX tankers. We are very proud of and satisfied with our fleet, which now consists of ten units in operation. Both the technical and the commercial concept have proved to be very successful”, says Erik Hånell, President & CEO, Stena Bulk.
On her maiden voyage, the Stena Imperator will sail with a cargo of vegetable oil to Papa New Guinea and then to Rotterdam.
The 183 metres long tankers will be operated by Stena Bulk’s Product and Chemical Operation and will sail in its global logistics system, which currently employs some 60 vessels.
