Seacon Shipping has purchased two chemical/oil tanker newbuildings, adding modern tonnage to its controlled fleet and continuing a year of active fleet renewal, according to a company filing reported by Splash247.
The deal, valued at $39.2 million, sees the Hong Kong-listed, Qingdao-based owner acquire the 2026-built units Golden Gerbera and Golden Osmanthus from Oriental Prime Shipping. Each vessel cost $19.6 million. Seacon said the acquisition will be funded through internal resources and external financing.
Deal Details
| Vessel | Build Year | Price per Vessel | Total Deal Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gerbera | 2026 | $19.6 million | $39.2 million |
| Golden Osmanthus | 2026 | $19.6 million | $39.2 million |
The seller, a British Virgin Islands-incorporated vessel holding company, is ultimately owned by Yu Sixing and is independent of Seacon, according to the filing.
Strategic Rationale
Seacon stated the purchase forms part of its strategy to phase out older controlled vessels and replace them with newer tonnage while expanding its controlled fleet. This move is directly relevant to logistics operators handling chemical and oil cargoes, as modern vessels typically offer better fuel efficiency, compliance with emissions regulations, and reliability.
Recent Fleet Activity
The company has been active across several ship types this year. In March, Splash reported that Seacon took over contracts for four multipurpose newbuildings in a $44.4 million deal, with the vessels originally contracted at Huanghai Shipbuilding. Seacon was also involved in a recent kamsarmax transaction, buying a 2023-built bulker, Seacon Hamburg, out of Chinese leasing before the vessel was sold on to Nasdaq-listed Castor Maritime. A similar transaction was also sealed for the 2024-built kamsarmax Seacon Antwerp.
Implications for Logistics Operators
Chemical tanker capacity is a critical component of the global supply chain for liquid chemicals, solvents, and vegetable oils. The addition of two modern vessels by Seacon may provide tonnage availability for shippers on key chemical trade lanes, though specific routes were not disclosed. Operators should monitor Seacon's fleet deployment as the newbuilds join the controlled fleet midway through 2026.
Watch List
- Seacon's ongoing fleet renewal program: The company has shown continued appetite for newbuild and secondhand tonnage across multipurpose, bulk, and tanker segments.
- Potential further vessel acquisitions: The company's strategy of phasing out older ships suggests additional transactions may occur.
