Alberta Shipmanagement, a Greek ship management company led by the Inglessis family, has ordered two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) from a Japanese shipyard.
According to the shipping database, Japan Marine United (JMU)’s Tsu Shipyard is building two VLCCs for Alberta Shipmanagement, which are expected to be delivered in 2026.
Shipbroker sources pointed out that Alberta Shipmanagement may have placed an order with JMU for the two VLCCs earlier, but the order was not made public until recently.
Alberta Shipmanagement was founded in 2019 by the fifth generation of the Inglessis family, whose shipping business dates back to 1875.
As a loyal customer of Japanese shipyards, the vast majority of the vessels in Alberta Shipmanagement’s fleet (23 vessels, including 12 oil tankers and 11 bulk carriers) were built at major Japanese shipyards.
In early June this year, JMU delivered the 158,863 DWT Suezmax tanker “Siena” to Alberta Shipmanagement, marking the completion of the 2023 shipbuilding contract between the two parties. Earlier this year, Alberta Shipmanagement also took delivery of the 42,083 DWT Handy bulk carrier “Lucky Luke” built by Oshima Shipbuilding.
According to the latest monthly report from shipbroker BRS Shipbrokers, as of the end of May, there were 108 VLCCs under construction worldwide, accounting for approximately 11% of the existing fleet.
Although only six VLCCs are expected to be delivered in 2025, recent new orders will significantly boost delivery volumes in the coming years. BRS forecasts deliveries of 36, 47, and 22 VLCCs in 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively. As of the end of May 2025, a total of 8 VLCCs have been ordered globally, with 18 and 80 vessels placed in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
According to Xclusiv Shipbrokers’ monthly report, as of the end of May, Greek tanker orders accounted for 24% of the total tonnage of tankers under construction worldwide. VLCCs accounted for approximately 7% of Greece’s new tanker construction plans, reflecting continued but cautious interest in VLCCs.