VLCC surge led tanker newbuilds last week

BRL data for week 46 showed tankers dominated contracting, led by Cosco Shipping Development’s six-ship VLCC programme at Dalian Shipbuilding.

These were six 307,000-dwt VLCCs, dual-fuel methanol/LNG, for bareboat charter to Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation over 20 years, totalling the CNY equivalent of US$715M, with deliveries from April 2027 to November 2028.

Eastern Pacific Shipping placed its first VLCC newbuildings – two 306,000-dwt ships at Dalian – with options for two more, with scrubbers specified.

Alimia Group contracted one 306,000-dwt VLCC at Hengli, and Thenamaris switched two Suezmax tankers to Shanghai Waigaoqiao at US$81M apiece after earlier Korean talks at US$84M.

AET booked two 157,000-dwt Suezmax tankers at Samsung, while Nordic American cited Suezmax tanker letters of intent at Samsung, with firming expected in early 2026.

Beyond tankers, BRL’s report indicated a heavy global week: 88 new orders amounting to 6.5M dwt. Activity spanned bulk carriers, container ships and offshore vessels.

Highlights included Cosco Shipping Development’s parallel 23-ship Kamsarmax bulk carrier package at Dalian COSCO Shipyard. These are said to be methanol-ready and on 240-month leases to Cosco Shipping Bulk.

Belgium’s EBE Maritime added an ammonia-ready 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax at Qingdao Beihai, and Orange Marine ordered two hybrid cable layers at Colombo Dockyard.

Container ordering also advanced: AP Møller-Maersk reached agreement in principle with New Times for eight plus four optional 18,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel ships; Hapag-Lloyd signed letters of intent at Yantai Raffles for up to 14 4,500-TEU methanol-dual-fuel vessels; with Costamare adding two 1,900-TEU ships at Huangpu Wenchong, taking that series to four vessels.