Turkish owner Yasa Holding is being linked to its first very large crude carrier (VLCC) newbuilding order, adding to a roaring supertanker contracting market, according to Splash247.
Yasa's VLCC Fleet Expansion
The Istanbul-based group, controlled by the Sabanci family, already has VLCC exposure through the secondhand market. Its current tanker fleet includes three VLCCs: the 2012-built 318,438 dwt Yasa Southern Cross, and the 313,998 dwt sister ships Yasa Hercules and Yasa Scorpion, built at HD HHI Gunsan in 2013. Yasa's tanker arm operates 21 vessels with a combined capacity of about 2.33m dwt, ranging from VLCCs to MR product carriers.
Details of the Reported Order
No official confirmation has been issued by Yasa or the yard, but newbuilding sources suggest the company has agreed to build four 319,000 dwt units at Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China, each valued at $125m and scheduled for delivery in 2029. This would represent Yasa's first VLCC newbuilding order, as prior newbuilding activity focused on other tanker segments.
| Vessel Type | Existing Fleet | Reported Newbuilding |
|---|---|---|
| VLCC (dwt) | 3 units (318,438 / 313,998 x 2) | 4 units (319,000 each) |
| Builder | HD HHI Gunsan (existing) | Jiangsu New Hantong |
| Delivery | 2012–2013 | 2029 |
Industry Context: Record VLCC Contracting
Splash247 reported that the move comes during one of the busiest periods for supertanker contracting in years. Owners have rushed to secure long-dated slots, with ordering across the final quarter of 2025 and the opening quarter of 2026 already topping the highest full-year VLCC order tally on record.
Yasa has been active in tanker newbuildings in recent years, particularly in China. It has ordered LR2/aframax tonnage at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co, with 2026 deliveries adding to its product and crude tanker fleet. It is also listed with suezmax series at Guangzhou Shipyard International for delivery later this decade, and has added MR tanker newbuildings at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, with several 50,000 dwt units joining the fleet this year.
Implications for Shippers and Operators
While the newbuildings will not deliver until 2029, the order signals long-term confidence in crude tanker demand and capacity. For freight forwarders and logistics managers, the sustained contracting pace suggests that shipyard slots for VLCCs remain in high demand, potentially pushing out availability for other vessel types. Owners locking in prices now may face higher construction costs later, but current pricing at $125m per unit reflects a competitive environment.
Watch List
- Confirmation of the order by Yasa Holding and Jiangsu New Hantong.
- Further VLCC contracting announcements as owners continue to secure 2028–2029 delivery slots.
- Potential impact on secondhand VLCC values and charter rates as the orderbook swells.
Sources:
