Shipbroking sources have linked Danish product tanker giant Torm to an order for up to eight MR newbuildings at China's Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, according to Splash247. If all options are exercised, the series would add 400,000 dwt of scrubber-fitted product tanker tonnage scheduled for delivery across 2029 and 2030.
Proposed order: six firm MRs plus two options
According to Splash247, shipbroking sources are reporting a deal covering six firm 50,000 dwt tankers and options for another two, priced at about $46m each. The six firm ships would be worth a combined $276m, rising to as much as $368m if both options are exercised. The scrubber-fitted vessels have been pencilled in for delivery during 2029 and 2030.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Yard | Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard |
| Vessel type | MR product tankers, scrubber-fitted |
| Size | 50,000 dwt per vessel |
| Firm order | 6 vessels |
| Options | 2 vessels |
| Price per vessel | About $46m |
| Firm order value | $276m |
| Value with options exercised | Up to $368m |
| Delivery window | 2029 and 2030 |
Unconfirmed contract, 2029–2030 delivery
Neither Torm nor Zhoushan Changhong has publicly confirmed the contract, and no corresponding stock exchange filing has been issued by the Copenhagen- and New York-listed owner, Splash247 said. If confirmed, the deal would mark a shift towards directly contracted newbuildings after Torm's recent fleet expansion centred largely on secondhand purchases and newbuilding resales.
Torm's fleet: resales now, newbuilds later
In May, Torm agreed to acquire six MR resale vessels scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028, alongside two 2015-built MRs, Splash247 reported. Those transactions are expected to lift its fleet to 103 ships once all deliveries have been completed. Torm currently operates around 100 product tankers across the MR, LR1 and LR2 segments, with vessels ranging from approximately 45,000 dwt to 115,000 dwt.
Operational perspective: For freight forwarders, tanker charterers and supply chain directors monitoring product tanker capacity, the key operational takeaway is timing. The six MR resale vessels are scheduled to enter Torm's fleet during 2027 and 2028, while the potential Zhoushan Changhong newbuilds would not arrive until 2029 and 2030, according to Splash247. If the resale transactions and the full eight-ship newbuild series are both completed, Torm's fleet would first reach 103 ships after the resale deliveries, then grow further as the newbuildings are delivered.
Zhoushan Changhong's expanding tanker orderbook
Zhoushan Changhong has been building up its presence in the tanker sector alongside its large containership orderbook, Splash247 reported. The yard is already constructing a six-ship series of 50,000 dwt chemical and product tankers for Greece's Horizon Tankers, with the first vessel delivered this year. The reported Torm series, if confirmed, would give the yard a second 50,000 dwt tanker series in progress.
Watch list
Upcoming factors that could change the situation:
- Public confirmation from Torm or Zhoushan Changhong, or a stock exchange filing by the Copenhagen- and New York-listed owner.
- Exercise of the two options, which would raise the combined contract value from $276m to as much as $368m.
- Delivery scheduling details for the scrubber-fitted vessels across 2029 and 2030.
- Completion of the six MR resale acquisitions scheduled for 2027–2028, and the projected fleet build to 103 ships.
- Further tanker newbuild contracting at Zhoushan Changhong, which is already constructing a six-ship series of 50,000 dwt chemical and product tankers for Horizon Tankers.
Sources:
