Orkim takes delivery of tanker, plans five more vessels by 2029
Orkim Jade brings the fleet to 21 vessels and raises total carrying capacity to 281,534 DWT, up 5.4 per cent.
Malaysia's Orkim Bhd said its fleet now numbers 21 vessels after receiving Orkim Jade ahead of schedule. The 14,500-deadweight tonne (DWT) clean petroleum products (CPP) tanker forms part of the company's fleet renewal and expansion programme.
The company said Fujian Southeast Shipyard handed the vessel over to Orkim Marine Sdn Bhd, its subsidiary. The delivery increases total fleet capacity to 281,534 DWT, a rise of 5.4 per cent.
Orkim Jade has a consecutive voyage charter agreement secured in September 2024 with Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd. The initial commitment lasts three years, with options for extensions of three years and two years that could take the arrangement through to 2035.
Chief executive officer Captain Cheah Sin Bi said the tanker was Orkim's third addition to the fleet that year. Orkim said it was also the first of its vessels fitted with an onboard nitrogen generation system. Its high-efficiency engines are intended to improve fuel use and lower emissions intensity.
Cheah outlined plans for five further vessels between 2027 and 2029, starting with Orkim Ruby, whose delivery is expected in 2027. The group has signed contracts to build two additional CPP tankers of 9,000 DWT each, scheduled to arrive in 2028.
