Maritime Industry Roundup: Tanker Newbuilds and VLCC Orders

## Thun Tankers Orders Custom Newbuilds for Restricted Waterways Sweden's Thun Tankers, part of the Erik Thun Group, has ordered two purpose-built product carriers designed for smaller ports and constrained waterways, the company announced. The vessels will be constructed at Dutch shipyard Ferus Smit, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029. According to Splash247, the custom-designed tankers will be able to navigate restricted routes that are inaccessible to standard product carriers. This allows Thun to serve niche markets and smaller ports that are off-limits to larger ships. The company did not disclose financial details of the newbuild contract. ## Hengli Heavy Industry Bags Three More VLCC Orders China's Hengli Heavy Industry has secured an additional three VLCC newbuild orders, Seatrade Maritime reports. This latest contract brings the shipbuilder's total VLCC orderbook to 38 vessels. VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) are the largest class of oil tankers, capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of crude. The continued strong demand for these massive ships reflects the ongoing recovery in global oil trade and tanker markets. Hengli Heavy Industry is one of China's largest private shipbuilders, with a focus on constructing tankers and bulk carriers. The company has benefited from the recent uptick in newbuild orders across multiple shipping segments.