Dynacom Tankers, the tanker shipping company owned by Greek shipping magnate George Procopiou, is gradually expanding its large crude oil tanker fleet by ordering multiple Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) from a Chinese shipyard.
According to sources, four 306,000 DWT VLCCs commissioned by Hengli Group and built by Hengli Heavy Industries have now been resold to Dynacom Tankers for $118 million each. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.
Including two vessels of the same class already resold in 2024, Dynacom Tankers will commission Hengli Heavy Industries to build six VLCCs. This also means that all six VLCCs have now been resold.
The vessel, independently designed by Hengli Heavy Industries’ Ship Design Research Center, measures 332.8 meters in length, 60 meters in beam, and 30 meters in depth, with a service speed of 14.5 knots. Classed by Lloyd’s Register, it features notable characteristics including high speed, light deadweight, and low energy consumption.
It is worth noting that “ALIAKMON I” is also the first VLCC delivered by Hengli Heavy Industries after it restarted its shipbuilding business, marking a breakthrough from “0” to “1” in the field of ultra-large vessel construction for the shipyard.
As a newly established private shipbuilding giant, Hengli Heavy Industries has secured multiple new orders in the VLCC market. In addition to the aforementioned six VLCCs, Norway’s Frontline, owned by John Fredriksen, recently placed an order with Hengli Heavy Industries for up to six VLCCs. Each vessel is valued between $100 million and $125 million, with deliveries scheduled between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027.
For George Procopiou, the acquisition of four newly built VLCCs underscores his aggressive fleet expansion strategy. Data indicates that Dynacom Tankers Management currently controls nearly 70 tankers, with over 50 additional vessels under construction at Chinese shipyards, including newbuild projects at New Times Shipbuilding, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC), and Hengli Heavy Industries.