China's Nantong Tongbao Shipbuilding has signed agreements with Shanghai Dingheng Shipping and Xiamen Xiangyu Group to construct eight stainless steel chemical tankers valued at around CNY1bn (US$161m).

The tankers will range from 2,000dwt to 15,000dwt in capacity, and are scheduled for delivery from 2018 to 2020.

Zhu Jianhua, Chairman of Nantong Tongbao, said that the new contracts are a good opportunity for the shipbuilder to diversify its portfolio and venture out into the segment of small and medium-sized tankers.