Nanjing Tanker, a major Chinese shipping company, has signed a $51 million contract for a new 9,500 cubic meter ethylene carrier, marking a strategic expansion into the liquefied ethylene gas (LEG) market. The order, made via subsidiary Shanghai Changshi Shipping, was placed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng, with delivery set for the first half of 2028. The deal, a related-party transaction under the China Merchants Group, aims to optimize Nanjing Tanker’s ethylene fleet capacity and strengthen its position in the petrochemical transport sector. The company, which operates over 70 vessels, continues its fleet renewal strategy, having recently invested in multiple newbuilds. Earlier in 2025, Lei Ding took over as chairman, signaling ongoing leadership evolution at the firm.