Yangzijiang Maritime Development is doubling down on crude tankers, lining up a major series of VLCC newbuilds as it looks to scale up in the large tanker segment. The Singapore-listed company said it is investing in eight 319,000 dwt units at a Chinese yard, with deliveries spread across 2028, 2029 and 2030. The VLCCs will be built to the latest efficiency standards, including fuel-optimised hull designs, electronically controlled engines and a range of energy-saving devices aimed at meeting or exceeding IMO Phase 3 requirements, Yangzijiang Maritime said in a regulatory filing. All eight ships will also be fitted with scrubbers, giving the owner flexibility to switch between fuel types and manage costs as bunker markets shift, the company added. The order marks one of the largest recent VLCC commitments by a financial shipowner and signals a clear bet on long-term crude transport demand, as well as tightening supply of modern tonnage. Ren Yuanlin-led Yangzijiang Maritime has been steadily building out its presence across tanker segments, combining asset play strategies with longer-term fleet positioning. Alongside the VLCC push, the group has also agreed to sell four 49,800 dwt MR tankers. The company said the disposals are expected to support earnings in the near term and highlight its ability to originate, build and monetise assets through the cycle. With a fleet of more than 90 vessels and an orderbook that can reach up to 50 ships, Yangzijiang Maritime noted it is positioning itself to capture value across multiple segments. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsSingapore