Shipyards in China are making inroads into the tanker shipbuilding segment once dominated by South Koreans.
Huanghai Shipbuilding is the latest Chinese yard to join the tanker trend by securing an order for up to four MRs.
The Shandong-based yard has struck a deal with a domestic owner for two firm MR tankers plus an option for two additional vessels.
Huanghai disclosed that it was contracted by Chinese logistic company New Legend Group to build the 50,000-dwt product carriers.
The MR tankers deal also marked New Legend’s entry into the tanker segment.
Huanghai did not disclose the price and delivery dates for the firm MRs. But shipbuilding pundits suggested that the yard is likely to deliver them between late 2026 and 2027.
The MR tankers will have a total of 14 cargo tanks, and are equipped with independent cargo pipes and a hydraulic submersible pump.
The newbuildings will be built to meet the Energy Efficiency Design Index phase 3 rating and the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III NOx requirements.
New Legend’s website claims it is among northern China’s largest private shipping integrated logistics firms.
Headquartered in Tianjin, it has a shipping division that is engaged in bulk and general cargo transportation.
New Legend states that it controls a large number of ships and has several long-term contracts with domestic and overseas steel companies and traders.
Chinese major steel mills such as Bao Steel, Shagang Group, Rizhao Steel and Denmark’s Duferco are its customers.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows New Legend has a fleet of 12 vessels comprising five handysize to panamax bulk carriers, five multipurpose ships and two small general cargo vessels.
Founded in 1944, Huanghai is a privately owned shipyard. The shipbuilder has one slipway and can build vessels up to 70,000 dwt.
SIN shows Huanghai delivered 23 vessels last year, mainly feeder container ships of 1,780 teu.
Last week, the shipyard was reported to have secured two 41,000-dwt open-hatch bulker newbuildings from Athenian Shipping of Greece — a bulker player that has been absent from shipping since 2016.
Athenian’s box-shaped bulkers were reported to cost about $31m each and they are set for 2026 delivery. The deal included an optional vessel.
