Chemship B.V.
EDITION 17
E-MAGAZINE
- Sailing into the Classroom: An Ambassador's Journey
- New Building Program
- Update Ventofoils & BIO fuel
- Interview FD
- Photo contest crew members
- Chemship Socials (BBQ)
- EPCA
- HT Race
- Saying goodbye to the Voyager in our normal trade
- Houston party
- Visit Chemical Challanger and Sail Amsterdam
- Our Fleet 2025
Interview from the Financial Dagblad
Transporting bio-chemicals over water requires specialists who know exactly what they’re doing.
Who shot the perfect picture?
We organized a photo contest for the crew of our ships with the theme: The Mood of the Sky.
A splendid two days sailing
On the 20th and 21st of June Chemship participated once again in the Harlingen – Terschelling Regatta.
Sailing into the Classroom:
An Ambassador's Journey
As an ambassador for ‘Zeebenen in de Klas,’ I have the privilege of bringing the excitement of maritime life to elementary school children. Through engaging guest lessons, I aim to spark their curiosity about the seafaring world, its history, and its importance to our global community. The majority is unaware that 90% of the goods we consume have been onboard a seagoing vessel. These interactive sessions combine storytelling, a small quiz, a small video in bad weather at sea, and discussions to create a memorable learning experience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sea and the people who navigate its vast expanse. In the ideal world they would realise there is also a possibility to work in the maritime industry. A good starting point to get an idea of what the project tries to achieve is the (Dutch) website: www.zeebenengezocht.nl.
Jeroen Leenderts
New building program Chemship
Over the past decade, Chemship has added 11 new vessels to our fleet, making it the most modern of its kind. On our trade lanes, you will not find a more advanced and environmentally conscious fleet.
A modern fleet means more than just new ships; it means greater efficiency. Each newly designed vessel offers lower fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions compared to older ships. Beyond having a relatively young and low-emission fleet, we continue to implement an array of sustainable solutions onboard. These include sails, advanced engine monitoring software, low-friction hull coatings, and sustainable lubrication oils, just part of our ongoing initiatives to further reduce our environmental footprint.
Building and maintaining a young fleet is not without challenges. Securing shipbuilding slots requires long-term planning and significant investment. That is why we are proud to announce that Chemship, together with our Japanese partners, has secured three new chemical tankers to join our fleet in 2027 and 2028. These vessels, ranging from 12,500 dwt to 16,000 dwt, will further enhance our flexibility and service to clients.
The design of these new ships is fully aligned with the requirements of our customers, ensuring their sophisticated cargoes are transported in the most economical and environmentally responsible way.
We look forward to sharing more updates as construction progresses and the keels are laid, so you can follow this exciting journey with us.
Sailing Towards Sustainable Performance
Update Ventofoils & BIO fuel
Growing Beyond the Start-Up Phase
After a year and a half in service, we managed to make another big step forward. We’ve outgrown the start-up phase and are using Ventofoils at the expert levels. The performance is stable and reliable.
Data-Driven Optimization
All enough reasons to announce that we are very close to lifting the option for two more sets of Ventofoils for two vessels. Next to that, we are learning now from our data. The Fuel Opt monitoring system collects real-time data from the Ventofoils as both systems are connected. We see the change in performance immediately once the Ventofoils are up and running.
With the help of our crew, we are professionalizing quickly by means of this input. Pushing the performance to the max by adjusting engine power and courses in such a way that the foils generate the maximum input. While doing this, we can monitor the real live data to witness the effects. As displayed above, our systems are keeping the speed overground at an equal level, the wings go up, and we see the fuel consumption (and therefore emission) drop.
The next step we make will be with the help of Manta Marine, the party behind the data platform connected to Fuel Opt. We are working on a download option to get the data from the system into Excel so it will be better digestible and make the data ready for various breakdowns.
Now we know that still the big data is showing more or less 14% savings; hopefully next time I can tell you more on how we get to these numbers.
Preparing the Chemical Sailor
So, we’ve prepared ourselves to take off. The Chemical Sailor was our choice. Some adjustments were made to the engines to follow up on engine makers and biofuel enquiries. Chemical Sailor was selected, as she’s designed in such a way that she has the option to consume directly with the main engine from 3 different bunker tanks.
This will give us the opportunity to select the right fuel as per requirements, as needed. Either biofuel, MGO or VLSFO. Biofuel, for ECA areas on European routes, MGO for ECA areas and ports outside European routes and VLSFO as non ECA fuel.
The test with the B30 was successful, so now we move forward to the B100 fuel and to other vessels with similar bunker flexibility. It’s up to those vessels to gain enough credits for our Chemship pool, to distribute the credits amongst the rest of the fleet and be fully compliant again, on our own, no shortcut
Biofuels: a new and honest chapter
Biofuels are something we have purposely not used so far, as our strategy has always been to focus on efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Biofuels are still giving CO₂ emissions, so they’re not likely to be the holy grail to bring us to net zero emissions in 2050.
However, the European Union is encouraging this, and we as Chemship are taking this seriously. We want to be a frontrunner on sustainability, and compliance is King in our office.
The biofuel project was started to keep control of ourselves on being Fuel EU compliant.
As you might know, the incentive of Fuel EU Maritime is to drive us away from fossil fuels. Our Ventofoils are helping to do that directly, but also our other innovative adjustments (like Dexoil, Propellor boss cap fins, silicone paint, engine monitoring software etc) are helping to minimize our exposure.
After all, the further we go on a smaller amount of fossil fuels, the less CO₂ needs to be compensated.
Interview from the Financial Dagblad
Michiel Marelis & Thijs Vlaanderen
Niche Expertise and Fleet Renewal as a Recipe for Sustainable Growth
Transporting bio-chemicals over water requires specialists who know exactly what they’re doing. The shipment of complex cargoes such as acids, aromatics, and vegetable oils between North America, the Mediterranean, and Northwest Europe demands specific expertise, especially given the strict regulations ships and crews must comply with.
Chemship operates as a specialist within this niche. “We are a dedicated operator of chemical parcel tankers and deeply committed to our specific trade lane,” says Michiel Marelis, Chief Operating Officer. “That’s where our name recognition and expertise lie. Our vessels are equipped with stainless steel tanks, suitable for carrying multiple chemical products per voyage. Operating with various small parcels on one ship is what sets us apart in the market.”
The complexity of these vessels makes newbuilds a challenge. Only a few shipyards in the world are capable of constructing such specialized tankers. “The number of available slots at shipyards to build these vessels is limited, as building chemical tankers is more complex and less attractive for shipyards compared to simpler ships,” Marelis explains.
Strategic Fleet Renewal as a Competitive Advantage
Chemship’s strength lies in the relatively young average age of its fleet. “With a young fleet, we have more leeway to invest in sustainable innovations,” says Marelis. The company is investing in wind-assisted propulsion using suction wings, specialized silicone coatings that reduce water resistance, and optimization through engineering.
“These investments in sustainable measures are easier for us to make because our vessels still have a long lifespan ahead, which ensures a return on investment. Even under the stringent EU regulations,” says Thijs Vlaanderen, CFO. “We expect it will become increasingly difficult for competitors with aging fleets to remain competitive, as they will struggle to invest in sustainability given their shorter remaining service lives.”
The company’s growth strategy includes continued fleet expansion, with a strong focus on route diversification.
Data-Driven Sustainability and Compliance
Data has become a strategic business asset. “At first, it was mainly about positioning, but it’s increasingly becoming a requirement due to EU regulations,” explains Vlaanderen. Chemship proactively developed dashboards and reporting systems even before they became mandatory, allowing customers to track their individual carbon footprints.
Digitization also plays a key role in minimizing administrative burden. “Captains often have to submit large volumes of data to various authorities. We aim to eliminate redundant processes,” Marelis explains. The company uses APIs to connect systems and is working on AI implementation for further automation. “We’re raising awareness around AI and have partnered with experts to help our staff understand what the data means. That way, we hope to build support and enable employees to recognize the potential in their day-to-day work.”
Chemship’s emphasis on transparency sets it apart in a traditionally conservative sector. “We communicate openly from the very beginning, even when delays occur,” Marelis emphasizes. “That transparent approach is highly appreciated and builds trust.”
Who shot the perfect picture?
We organized a photo contest for the crew of our ships with the theme: The Mood of the Sky.
We invited our crew members to capture the sky in all its moods, from golden evening light to heavy rain, clouds and everything in between.
The categories included:
- Golden Hour Glow: sunrise or sunset shots
- After the Storm: dramatic skies following rain or thunder
- Rainbow Magic: rainbows in all shapes and sizes
- Skylines & Surroundings: how the weather transforms the environment
- People & Weather: humans interacting with the sky, wind, and seasons
We received so many creative and beautiful photos and videos from across the fleet, which made it a real challenge to choose just one winner, so we decided to make a top three.
The winner of the photo contest is:
Akash Avinash Gangadhare – Chief Officer – M.T. Chemical Fighter.
This photo truly captured a unique perspective of our journey together. It has an industrial feel that reflects where we work and operate. You can even see a second Chemship vessel in the background and the sky is breathtaking.
The numbers two and three:
2. Kshitij Sharma – Third Officer – M.T. Chemical Ranger
3. Amit Kumar Panda – Second Officer – M.T. Chemical Sailor
The winner received a Go Pro camera. And all top three finalists received a cake decorated with their shot and a framed version of their photo. Many thanks to the crew for their enthusiastic participation and the wonderful photos.
View all entries below.
The Chemship Tradition
At Chemship, we cherish our traditions, and one of the highlights each year is our annual summer BBQ. This special event brings together all our employees, their partners, and children for an evening filled with good food, laughter, and connection.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and the good vibes matched it perfectly. While the adults caught up and enjoyed the delicious food and drinks, the children had a fantastic time playing together and making new friends. It was wonderful to see everyone relax and enjoy themselves outside of the work environment.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s edition!
Hope to see you soon
EPCA Berlin 22-25 September 2025
We are pleased to announce that a Chemship delegation will be attending the 59th edition of the EPCA in Berlin this year.
Team members from our Chartering, Operations, Logistics and Finance departments will be present. It will be a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships.
Wishing everyone safe travels to Berlin. We hope to see you there!
Niels Grotz – Thijs Vlaanderen – Wilfred Boverhof – Michiel Marelis – Paul Feaver – Roy van Oudheusden – Ton Ackermans – Finn Visser – Robyn ten Napel
Harlingen - Terschelling Regatta
Honoring Dutch Maritime Heritage
Dutch history and flat-boats go hand in hand. Chemship, as a traditional Dutch shipowner, again joined the Harlingen–Terschelling sailing regatta with stakeholders and friends.
Dutch maritime history stretches far, with the vessel de Liefde reaching Japan in 1600. Closer to home, trade across the North Sea, Baltic, and English coast was carried out on flat-boats. Instead of keels, they used side boards, allowing them to sail in shallow waters, fall dry for loading, and still remain fast against competitors. Flat-boats ranged from small yachts to large clippers transporting goods across Europe.
Our boat, de Grote Jager (“the Big Hunter”), is a Lemsteraak. Built in the 19th century as fast fishing vessels with a large forecastle for fresh catch, they later became luxury pleasure boats. Today, Lemsteraaks are popular family yachts and competitive regatta boats.
Guests from Japan, Denmark, and across The Netherlands gathered Wednesday evening. Early next morning, we set sail in strong northwesterly winds. Captain Sasha briefed us, and soon at sea we were drenched by spray despite our gear. We safely reached Terschelling, changed clothes, and later enjoyed a horse-drawn ride to a BBQ with fellow crews.
Friday’s race brought even stronger winds, this time in our favor. With currents pushing us to ten knots, we quickly reached Harlingen, ending two fantastic days of sailing and camaraderie.
Farewell to MT Chemical Voyager, with 24 tanks, one of its kind.
After many years of loyal service in the clean chemical trades, we are saying farewell to the MT Chemical Voyager. This lovely, purposely built chemical tanker was one of its kind with 24 tanks, extremely suitable for the parcel trade we operate in, as her tank configuration allowed us to make optimal stowages to carry a wide variety of chemical parcels of different sizes. But now it is time to take her out of her well-known trajectory, not because she lacks capability, but because of regulatory constraints that require younger tonnage.
It’s always a difficult decision to say goodbye to such a great vessel which has been a great asset to our fleet, and we are sad to see her leave our regular chemical trades, but in the same token, we are happy to say that her journey is far from over, as ships of this calibre are built to last longer than 20 years only. Since we took good care of her “well-being”, such as her maintenance, state-of-the art safety systems and excellent operational performance, she is a perfect candidate to expand the horizon into new trades. Rather than selling her and losing her forever, we have decided to bring her into the Dirty (DPP) market, where she will be employed under the capable management of TTS. Think of it as going from a 2-star Michelin dinner to a classic BBQ party, which is probably less sophisticated, but both are just as valuable.
We wish the crew of Mt Chemical Voyager, safe and profitable voyages in the next chapter of her career.
Some statistics
Delivery:
24 Jan 2017 (under her previous name, MT Davino D ex DePoli tankers)
Nr. Of voyages:
106 voyages
Total Quantity Shipped
1.082.275 mt
Average quantity loaded
10.200 mt
Smallest parcel:
199 mt
Largest parcel:
13500 mt
Nr of port calls:
696 with following top 3
– Gebze:
179 calls
– Rotterdam:
123 calls
– Antwerp:
104 calls
Houston, we are coming back!
Some traditions are worth holding onto, like Christmas, but also our annual Chemship party. Yes indeed, you are missing the word “Summer”, which is correct, as this year we are making a small adjustment to our normal planning. As the annual EPCA conference is organized earlier , this would have been colliding with our regular summer date. Our polite request to change the EPCA dates by 2 weeks was unfortunately not honoured. So, organizing our annual party in October is only a change of season, not of atmosphere.
As our markets are taking a bit of a nap and business feels a bit quieter than usual, this is the perfect timing to host a party and come together. We at Chemship believe that at the end of the day, it is not only about the cargoes or the contracts (although we love those too), it is also the connections, the trust, and the friendships that make this business fly and are worth celebrating.
So, mark 16 October 2025 in your calendars, as we are coming back to the beautiful city of Houston. Not just to raise a glass to the past year, but to celebrate the many friendships we have built with our American friends, who have been part of our 56-year journey. For us Europeans, it is the perfect excuse to escape the chilly autumn and hopefully enjoy some Houstonian Indian summer.
Visit Chemical Challenger and Sail Amsterdam
SAIL Amsterdam: Netherlands largest maritime festival
SAIL Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ largest maritime festival, held every five years in Amsterdam to celebrate its nautical history and culture. The event features a parade of majestic tall ships and historic sailing vessels from around the world, transforming the city’s harbour into a festive maritime world.
Coincidentally, our own ‘sailing ship,’ the Chemical Challenger, equipped with VentoFoils, was in the port of Amsterdam during the amazing Sail Amsterdam 2025. I had the opportunity to visit Sail Amsterdam, but more importantly, to go on board the vessel, meet the officers and crew, and learn more about working with our sails.
It was a pleasure to meet with the Captain but also see that the ship was in tip top condition. At nearly 10 years old and being a workhorse crossing the North Atlantic many time it is good to see that the vessel is well looked after by its crew.
The installation of the VentoFoils was a big job for both the manufacturers, Econowind, but also for us as a relatively small owner in the big world of shipping. Over the last 1.5 years we have made many modifications to the sails but also added sustainable solutions to the vessel in support of the sails.
I have captured my visit to the Chemical Challenger in a small movie and I hope you enjoy it.
