Pleiades Shipping, a Greek company specializing in tanker operations, has finalized an agreement with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China for the construction of two new MR (Medium Range) tankers. Each vessel will have a deadweight tonnage of 50,000 dwt, with the anticipated delivery date set for the final quarter of 2028. While the specific financial details of this order remain confidential, industry brokers currently estimate the cost of newbuild MR tankers to be approximately $48 million per vessel.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, this order signifies a future increase in global tanker capacity, specifically within the MR segment. While the impact is not immediate due to the 2028 delivery timeline, it contributes to the overall fleet growth trajectory. An expanding fleet could, in the long term, influence freight rates for refined petroleum products by potentially increasing competition among carriers. Forwarders managing liquid bulk shipments should monitor such newbuild orders as they can indicate future market dynamics and capacity availability.