China’s Nanjing Tanker is continuing its fleet expansion drive with a pair of newbuildings at a domestic yard.

The Shanghai-listed owner under the China Merchants Group is set to add LR2 carriers from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Group after the yard won out against rivals Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.

Nanjing Tanker currently controls a fleet of more than 70 ships. Last year， the company launched a fleet renewal programme， which saw a series of at least eight tanker newbuilds booked at Guangzhou Shipyard International.

Established in 1993， the company underwent a leadership change earlier this year， with Lei Ding， vice president at China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) and former general manager at Hong Kong Ming Wah Shipping， taking over the helm.

The latest move marks Nanjing Tanker’s first foray into this newbuilding segment， following the booking of MRs and LR1s for construction in 2024.