China’s Seacon Shipping has moved to further expand its footprint in the tanker segment by adding another chemical carrier newbuilding to its growing orderbook.

The Hong Kong-listed diversified owner and operator has signed up for an 18，500 dwt unit at China’s Wuhu Shipyard， hot on the heels of orders for a series of similar chemical tankers at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and 50，000 dwt MR tankers at Chengxi Shipyard.

Seacon is paying $30.1m for its latest newbuild， set to deliver in late 2025. Meanwhile， four 18，500 dwt vessels delivering from Fujian Southeast between July 2025 and May 2026 were booked for a total of $129.2m.

The Qingdao-based company said the investment is in line with the ongoing strategy to optimize the fleet but also led by the view that the market conditions supporting the demand for chemical products will improve.

“By increasing the number of oil/chemical tankers， the group’s shipping capacity for oil and chemical products will increase， and the company will be able to better meet market demand for its shipping services… generating additional revenue and creating greater value and returns for the shareholders，” Seacon said in a stock exchange filing.