Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has returned to the VLCC market with its first large crude carrier order, contracting two 306,000 dwt tankers at China’s Hengli Shipbuilding.
Industry sources say the Singapore-based owner should see the vessels delivered in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The move marks EPS’s first VLCC transaction since 2018, when it scrapped the 2000-built Maritime Jewel and shifted its focus toward aframax and suezmax crude tankers, followed by a push into MR product carriers in recent years.
Hengli’s win adds to what has been one of the busiest VLCC-ordering years at the Chinese yard. Shipbuilding data shows Hengli has secured more than 20 VLCC newbuilding deals year to date, mostly with European buyers.
EPS has been steadily building its relationship with Hengli. The VLCCs are the Idan Ofer-led company’s second tanker order at the yard this year, following a July contract for two plus two LNG dual-fuel suezmaxes. The diversified owner with one of the largest orderbooks in the industry has also tapped Hengli for growth in other segments, including four firm 6,000 teu containerships, with options for four more delivering in 2027–2028.
