Eastern Pacific Shipping adds six VLCCs at Hengli in latest newbuilding push

On 28 November, Guangdong Songfa Ceramics announced via the Shanghai Stock Exchange that its subsidiary Hengli Heavy Industries has signed contracts with EPS for 12 vessels, valued at US$1.1–1.6Bn.

The latest orders comprise six 306,000-dwt VLCCs, two 157,000-dwt LNG dual-fuel Suezmax tankers, and four 6,000-TEU container ships.

Earlier this year, Riviera reported EPS had already placed two initial orders at Hengli – one for two firm plus two optional Suezmaxes of the same specifications, and another for four firm plus four optional 6,000-TEU container vessels.

Hengli’s newly published announcement now broadens the two companies’ co-operation into the VLCC segment. 

According to the shipbuilder, deliveries of the newbuildings will take place sequentially from the second half of 2027 through 2028.

The Chinese yard has unveiled multiple new contracts in recent months, covering bulk carriers, tankers and container ships. Major Greek and international owners have capitalised on Hengli’s comparatively early delivery slots at a time when newbuilding capacity at China’s top-tier yards for 2028 is already close to fully booked.

Hengli said the latest EPS deal is expected to “enhance the company’s medium- and long-term market competitiveness and profitability, further strengthening its competitive advantages.”

EPS continues to pursue one of the industry’s most ambitious newbuilding programmes across nearly all major shipping segments. According to BRS Shipbrokers’ annual review, the owner ranked third worldwide in 2024 by vessel count, with 71 ships totalling 7.7M dwt on order.