James Fisher names first in new class of chemical tankers in River Thames ceremony
Specialist marine and shipping solutions provider James Fisher and Sons plc (James Fisher) has marked another milestone in its Fleet of the Future investment programme with the naming of ‘Orca Fisher’. This is the first of four new Sealife class chemical tankers to help meet growing customer demand for safer, more efficient and lower-emission coastal shipping.
Held alongside HMS Belfast on the River Thames, the ceremony brought together customers, colleagues, shipbuilding partners and industry stakeholders to celebrate and recognise the collaboration behind James Fisher's most significant fleet investments in recent years.
Together with her sister vessels – ‘Narwhal Fisher’, ‘Tiger Fisher’ and ‘Dolphin Fisher’ – Orca Fisher is leading the next generation of UK coastal shipping. As customers across the energy and industrial sectors seek to reduce emissions across their supply chains without compromising reliability, the Sealife class vessels combine dual-fuel LNG capability with technologies that reduce fuel consumption, improve operational performance and enhance safety.
The vessels incorporate a range of engineering innovations to improve efficiency both at sea and in port. An optimised hull form, propulsion optimisation systems and integrated rudder and propeller design enhance performance underway, while waste heat recovery technology captures energy from cooling water, exhaust gases and onboard systems to improve energy efficiency alongside. Smart Ship connectivity and advanced safety systems – including Starlink connectivity – further support safer, more efficient operations and improved crew wellbeing.
The naming ceremony also follows the recent appointments of Rob Hales as Head of Maritime Transport and Guy Barker, Product Line Director for James Fisher Tankships who will lead the next phase of the Fleet of the Future programme.
Rob Hales, Head of Maritime Transport at James Fisher and Sons plc, said: “The naming of ‘Orca Fisher’ represents far more than the introduction of a new vessel. Our customers are looking for partners who can help them move essential cargo safely, reliably and with a lower environmental footprint. The Sealife class has been developed around those needs, combining operational resilience with technologies that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
“By investing in a modern fleet today, we're helping ensure coastal shipping remains fit for the future while continuing to deliver the expertise and dependable service our customers trust us to deliver.”