Stena Imperator and Stena Superior join the Swedish register

Stena Bulk has moved the product and chemical tanker Stena Imperator to the Swedish flag, with the change of registry carried out in San Francisco. It follows the reflagging of the Suezmax Stena Superior in Shenzhen last month. The two are the fourth and fifth ships brought into the Swedish Register of Shipping under the programme Stena Bulk announced in July 2025.

Stena Imperator is a 49,690 dwt tanker built by Guangzhou Shipbuilding International and delivered in 2017. She is the first ship of Stena Bulk's IMOIIMAX design to join the programme, which until now consisted of Suezmaxes. The first, Stena Sunrise, was reflagged in Singapore on 31 July 2025, followed by Stena Suede and then Stena Surprise, which changed flag in Nynäshamn on 11 December 2025 with a government minister at the flag-hoisting ceremony.

When the programme was announced, Sweden had no large tankers on its national register. Stena Bulk says it is meant to strengthen Sweden's competitiveness as a flag state, support national preparedness and create opportunities for Swedish seafarers. It followed reforms that made the register more attractive, including the removal of stamp duty, a competitive tonnage tax and an improved ship register.

"Completing these reflaggings in China and the United States, alongside the vessels' normal trading, shows how well established this process has become," said Erik Hånell, president and chief executive of Stena Bulk. "Every vessel brought into the Swedish register strengthens Sweden's presence in international tanker shipping, its national preparedness and its maritime expertise."

Hånell credited the crews, the onshore teams and the company's cooperation with the Swedish authorities and maritime unions for the smooth transfers.

This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 12 October 2026.