Shipping & Freight #crude tanker#orders
Crude tanker orders hit record high as owners rush to secure VLCC and suezmax capacity
Crude tanker newbuilding orders have hit an all-time high in 2026, with 60m deadweight tonnes contracted across 234 vessels, led by a surge in VLCC orders. The orderbook stands at a record 130m dwt, equivalent to 27% of the existing fleet. High freight rates and fleet ageing are driving the ordering wave, with China dominating shipbuilding and Greece the top ordering nation.
Jul 9, 2026 1 source