One of many world’s largest charterers, Trafigura, is addressing the market scarcity of contemporary supertanker tonnage by signing as much as construct its first VLCCs.
The Singapore-headquartered international commodities dealer has contracted Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Business in China for the development of two 319,000 dwt crude carriers, delivering in July and September of 2026.
The order for the scrubber-fitted pair additionally marks Jiangsu New Hantong’s entry into VLCC shipbuilding and its largest ship in dwt phrases so far, topping the 209,000 dwt newcastlemax bulker constructed for Oldendorff Carriers in 2021.
With one of many smallest orderbooks of all sectors and solely a handful of VLCCs delivering this and subsequent yr, many high-profile shipowners, together with Fredriksen, Marinakis, Troim and the Saverys household, have jumped on obtainable newbuilding slots.Â
To not point out the stress of the ageing sector, final yr noticed a record-low variety of 22 ships getting into the worldwide VLCC fleet. Lower than 30 ships have been ordered this yr, and the diminished yard capability, with orderbooks largely crammed by different sectors, exhibits house owners searching for options, in Trafigura’s case at a newcomer within the VLCC phase, to fulfill vessel necessities backed by anticipated progress in international oil demand.Â
Costs fluctuate, with Fredriksen’s Seatankers paying Dalian $120m per ship, whereas Marinakis’ newbuilds on the identical yard are estimated at $140m. Monetary particulars of Trafigura’s and Jiangsu New Hantong’s VLCC debuts weren’t disclosed, however business sources estimate a price ticket of not more than $120m. Clarksons’ most up-to-date knowledge exhibits new VLCC ships of 315,000–320,000 dwt at roughly $128m. DHT additionally just lately booked as much as eight ships in South Korea, costing every about $128.5m on common.