On July 5, New Yangzi Shipbuilding delivered the first 75,000DWT LR1 tanker “METRO MISTRAL” to shipowner METROSTAR. The vessel then unmoored from the shipyard dock and put into operation.
On April 20, 2023, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group officially signed a construction contract for two 75,000 DWT LR1 tankers with METROSTAR. As the first vessel of its kind, it commenced construction in mid-May 2024, laid keel for outfitting in mid-November of the same year, launched in early March 2025, and successfully completed sea trials in mid-June, with all test results meeting design standards.
The vessel is equipped with 6 pairs of cargo tanks and 1 pair of slop tanks, featuring approximately 10% increased cargo hold capacity compared to existing vessel types of the same size. In addition to transporting crude oil and refined oil, it can also carry three categories of chemicals, further enhancing its loading capacity.
On July 1, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding held a naming and signing ceremony with METROSTAR Shipowner for the delivery of the vessel. The delivery of the vessel marks an important milestone for Yangzijiang Shipbuilding’s oil tanker product line—the first LR1-class oil tanker has been officially delivered.
As a new generation of Panamax oil tankers, this type of vessel combines economy, efficiency and environmental protection. It fully integrates the latest energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies during the design stage. By optimizing the hull lines, upgrading the power system and the intelligent energy efficiency management system, it effectively reduces operating fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and complies with the latest environmental protection standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the same time, its flexible cargo hold configuration and efficient loading and unloading system can adapt to the transportation needs of a variety of petrochemical products, providing customers with more competitive logistics solutions.
On July 6, Xinyangzi Shipbuilding delivered the first 114,000 DWT LR2 oil tanker, “BERKELEY SQUARE”, built for shipowner Zodiac.
This vessel commenced construction in mid-June 2024, laid keel for outfitting in mid-November, and was launched in early March 2025. It successfully completed sea trials in mid-June 2025, with all test results meeting design specifications.
The BERKELEY SQUARE has a total length of 248.8 meters, a beam of 44.0 meters, a structural draft of 15.0 meters, a design draft of 13.5 meters and a design speed of 14.5 knots.
The vessel’s design and construction incorporate the latest technological advances, giving it advantages such as green energy efficiency, large loading capacity, and a high degree of intelligence. Its fuel consumption, speed, and comfort all meet industry-leading standards.