On February 10, Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), signed an order with German company Leonhardt & Blumberg for two follow-on vessels of 50,000 DWT chemical/product tankers. To date, Guangzhou Shipyard International has secured orders for 16 oil tankers with a total deadweight tonnage of 1.2 million tons since the start of 2026, achieving a strong start to new ship orders and further solidifying its leading position in the global oil tanker sector.
Back in September 2024, Guangzhou Shipyard International and L&B officially signed a contract to build four 50,000 DWT chemical/product tankers. L&B has a long history of cooperation with CSSC, having previously ordered several feeder container ships from CSSC member companies. This order marks the company’s first order for MR tankers.
This oil tanker was independently designed by Guangzhou Shipyard International. With an overall length of approximately 183 meters and a beam of 32.2 meters, it is designed for a service speed of about 14.5 knots and features a 6+1 double-deck cargo hold configuration. The vessel’s overall design complies with the latest international regulations, incorporates energy-saving and environmentally friendly systems, and meets the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III emission standards.
This wave of orders covers mainstream high-end oil tanker types, and the cooperating clients are all leading companies in the European shipping market, demonstrating the international market’s high recognition of Guangzhou Shipyard International’s products and services.
To date, Guangzhou Shipyard International has 66 oil tanker orders on hand, totaling 4.602 million deadweight tons, including 41 MR oil tanker orders totaling 1.98 million deadweight tons. It has established a strong international influence in the full range of oil tankers, including MR, LR and Suezmax.
Notably, on February 3, Guangzhou Shipyard International formally signed an order with Greek shipowner Central Group for ten 50,000 DWT MR product tankers. The ten new vessels are valued at nearly $500 million, marking the largest MR product tanker order to date in 2026.