On January 7, CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding, together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd (CSTC), signed a construction contract for one Suezmax crude oil tanker with a Greek shipowner, marking another milestone in the expansion of its new vessel types.
To date, Beihai Shipbuilding has secured contracts for a total of three such vessels in 2026. This achievement signifies the company’s full-scale entry into the Suezmax crude oil tanker construction sector, represents a key breakthrough in expanding its large tanker product portfolio, and lays a solid foundation for its business development in the new year.
The Suezmax oil tanker signed for in this agreement is part of the “Morning Star” series of liquid cargo vessels independently developed and designed by Beihai Shipbuilding. This type of vessel has an overall length of 274.3 meters, a beam of 50 meters, and a deadweight tonnage of 161,800 tons. It uses conventional fuel and meets the International Maritime Organization’s TIER III emission standards and the requirements of the third phase (Phase III) of the Ship Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
Beihai Shipbuilding’s successful acquisition of three Suezmax oil tanker orders not only demonstrates the company’s strategic commitment to advancing into the large oil tanker construction sector, but also showcases its comprehensive in-house capabilities spanning the entire chain from design to construction. This achievement further strengthens Beihai Shipbuilding’s competitiveness in the international oil tanker market, providing crucial support for its ongoing expansion into the oil tanker market and promotion of vessel type diversification.
The VLCCs contracted under this agreement are part of the “Morning Star” series of liquid cargo carriers independently developed and designed by Beihai Shipbuilding. With an overall length of 339.5 meters, a beam of 60 meters, and a deadweight tonnage of 319,000 tons, these vessels feature energy-saving equipment to enhance operational efficiency.
CMB.TECH is a long-standing client of Beihai Shipbuilding. The first VLCC built by Beihai Shipbuilding for Belgian shipowner CMB.TECH was successfully delivered on November 10, 2025.