Japan's Kyoei Tanker has returned to Namura Shipbuilding for a VLCC newbuilding.
The 310,000-dwt crude carrier is due for delivery in the second half of 2021.
Kyoei did not disclose the cost of the order, citing contract confidentiality.
Industry sources said Kyoei booked the VLCC some time ago, but the order went unreported. The shipowner is believed to be paying mid-$90m for the scrubber-fitted ship.
Kyoei, which took delivery of the 312,000-dwt Tenryu (built 2019) from Namura in July, has two other VLCCs on order at the Japanese shipyard. Deliveries are slated for late 2019 and March 2020.
A tanker source said Kyoei’s VLCCs are chartered out under long-term contracts. They are typically fixed out to domestic oil majors, such as Cosmo Oil.
Kyoei, which is a subsidiary of NYK, is listed with a fleet of 15 ships comprising five VLCCs, three product carriers, two VLGCs and five bulkers.
