China delivers a 115,000 DWT tanker ahead of schedule

A 115,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) oil tanker built by DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. was officially delivered this week, more than five months ahead of schedule, highlighting the surging competitiveness of Chinese shipyards in the global market.

The vessel measures 249.8 meters in length overall, with a beam of 44 meters and can transport over 800,000 barrels of crude oil or refined products per voyage. It boasts superior maneuverability, economic efficiency and environmental performance compared to earlier vessels in its class.

Yan Guangjun, manufacturing director at DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding, attributed the early delivery to standardized series construction and optimized production scheduling. He noted that the design offers operational flexibility, excellent port accessibility and strong seaworthiness, making it a highly sought-after mainstream vessel type.

The delivery comes amid a boom in orders for Chinese shipyards. Industry data shows that Chinese builders secured over 90% of global Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) orders in the first quarter. 

Peng Guisheng, marketing director at DSIC, stated that contracted tanker orders this year have exceeded 6 million DWT, with 42 vessels scheduled to commence construction in 2026. He emphasized that Chinese shipbuilders now lead in build quality, delivery reliability and cost-effectiveness.

According to official statistics, Chinese yards secured contracts for 67 VLCCs totaling 20.649 million DWT in Q1, accounting for 92% of global contracting activity. Backlogs at major yards are booked through 2030.

Chinese shipbuilders accelerate development of dual-fuel VLCCs

As one of the three pillars of global merchant shipping, oil tankers are seeing rapid technological evolution in China. 

A building LNG dual-fuel VLCC is already attracting global shipowner attention. Unlike conventional VLCCs, this giant – measuring 332.95 meters in overall length with a design speed of 14.5 knots – represents a golden ratio for long-haul ocean routes, maximizing both fuel economy and transport efficiency. Its capable of carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil in a single voyage and meets the refueling needs of millions of vehicles.

Its standout feature is a fully integrated clean-energy propulsion system, comprising a dual-fuel main engine, generator sets and boilers. 

Peng told reporters that the company continues to increase R&D investment in innovative energy-saving technologies and alternative fuels. Technologies such as air bubble drag reduction, wind-assisted propulsion, shaft generators and energy storage batteries are being applied across active new building projects. 

They has successively delivered the world's first LNG dual-fuel VLCC and the world's first methanol dual-fuel VLCC and is currently constructing the world's first liquid ammonia dual-fuel oil tanker, scheduled for delivery in 2028.

Looking ahead, Peng said green transformation and multi-fuel compatibility will become standard configurations for new tanker newbuildings. New tankers will generally feature multi-fuel capability and reserved modification space to adapt to evolving fuel markets. 

Meanwhile, as global crude oil trade patterns shift and specialized transport demands grow, demand for shuttle tankers, ice-class oil tankers and other specialized vessel types is expected to rise continuously.