Hamburg owner doubles down with two more 49,500 dwt tankers at GSI
Leonhardt & Blumberg signs for two additional 49,500 dwt MR chemical and product tankers at Guangzhou Shipyard.
Hamburg-based shipping company Leonhardt & Blumberg has expanded its tanker fleet with an order for two additional 49,500-deadweight-tonne (dwt) MR chemical and product tankers at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). This latest agreement extends the German owner’s ongoing newbuilding programme at the Chinese yard, which began two years ago.
The newly ordered vessels will follow the same specifications as the existing series, incorporating scrubbers and methanol-ready designs. Both ships are scheduled for delivery in 2029, according to broker reports.
Rapid expansion in the tanker sector: mr tankers
Leonhardt & Blumberg’s move into tankers represents a strategic shift for the company, which had previously focused primarily on handysize containerships. The Hamburg owner only entered the product tanker market in 2022, yet its fleet now includes six product tankers alongside 20 containerships and three multipurpose vessels.
This year alone, the company has twice expanded its GSI orderbook. In February, it added two vessels to an initial four contracted in 2024, bringing the total to six before this latest order. The first two ships from the series, Hansa Guangzhou and Hansa Genoa, were delivered in June and this month, respectively. Both comply with Tier III and EEDI Phase 3 environmental standards, meeting the latest regulatory requirements.
The original six vessels are managed commercially under an agreement with Navig8, signed in November of last year.
Future-proofing the fleet
The 49,500 dwt MR tankers are designed to transport a range of liquid cargoes, including chemicals, refined petroleum products, and vegetable oils. Their methanol-ready designs align with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonisation targets for 2030 and 2050, positioning Leonhardt & Blumberg as a forward-looking player in the sector.
With the latest order, the company reinforces its commitment to scaling its tanker operations while maintaining its existing containership and multipurpose vessel fleet. The expansion reflects a broader industry trend toward sustainable shipping solutions, ensuring long-term competitiveness in an evolving market.
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