Danish chemical tanker operator Uni-Tankers has entered into an agreement for eight newbuild 7,600-dwt tankers to be built by China's Haidong Shipyard in Taizhou, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. The vessels will not be purchased by Uni-Tankers but will instead join its fleet under time-charter arrangements upon delivery, extending the company's chartered-in tonnage as part of an ongoing fleet-renewal strategy. CEO Per Ekmann described the order as a major milestone, saying it marks an important step in fleet renewal and strengthens the company's ability to serve customers globally. Uni-Tankers currently operates 41 vessels, comprising 14 owned ships and 27 chartered-in vessels, with capacities of up to 20,000 dwt. In its latest financial update, the company said it sold three vessels and acquired one during the 2025–2026 fiscal year while continuing to expand its time-charter fleet. The newbuild programme follows the company's recent introduction of larger tonnage, including the 13,000-dwt Swan Glory, the second vessel of its type delivered this year after Swan Virtue. According to BRS Shipbrokers, the orderbook for small tankers in the 3,000–25,000-dwt segment stood at 10.4% of the existing fleet in dwt terms and 8.2% by vessel numbers at the end of 2025, with an average ordered size of approximately 11,700 dwt. BRS also projects 112 stainless steel tankers will be delivered in 2026, up 175% from 2025 and surpassing the previous peak of 96 vessels recorded in 2018.