UK shipowner Union Maritime has further beefed up its tanker orderbook with up to four LR2/aframax newbuilds in China.

The Laurent Cadji-led outfit has sealed a deal with Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry for two firm 113，600 dwt crude and product carriers， with options secured for an additional pair.

The SDARI-designed newbuilds will feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion and meet Tier III requirements for NOx emissions.

The latest order， which follows 18，500 dwt chemical tankers booked at Fujian Mawei， will be executed by Xiamen Shipbuilding. Price and delivery dates have not been divulged.

Founded in 2006， London-based Union lists a diversified fleet of nearly 100 ships on its website， including 31 newbuilding projects， of which nine LR2s were previously commissioned across Chinese and South Korean shipyards.

The company most recently signed up for four more 18，500 dwt chemical tankers and a pair of 49，000 dwt MR2 vessels at China’s Wuhu Shipyard.