Cape Shipping, a Greek shipowner owned by the Andrianopoulos family, has exercised its option to build a second Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) at a Chinese shipyard, further expanding its growing order book.
According to Greek media reports, Cape Shipping has exercised its option with China’s Beihai Shipbuilding to build a 319,000 dwt VLCC. This new vessel is an alternative to the 1+1 319,000 dwt VLCCs agreed upon by both parties on January 5, 2026.
Ship brokers and sources revealed that the two new vessels are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2029, respectively.
According to information disclosed by Beihai Shipbuilding, the VLCC ordered by Cape Shipping is a “Qimingxing” series liquid cargo vessel independently developed and designed by Beihai Shipbuilding. The vessel is 339.5 meters long, 60 meters wide, and has a deadweight tonnage of 319,000 tons. It is equipped with energy-saving devices to improve energy efficiency and features a reserved ammonia design, allowing for the future installation of two 6,000 cbm ammonia fuel storage tanks, achieving “zero-carbon” green operation throughout the voyage.
This vessel type meets the latest CSR, OCIMF, and oil company standards, exhibiting excellent versatility; it also meets the International Maritime Organization’s TIER III emission standards and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase III requirements.
Cape Shipping recently announced its return to the tanker market and the formation of a fleet of 10 vessels, including 2 MR product tankers, 4 Aframax tankers, 2 Suezmax tankers, and 2 LR1 product tankers. All of these new vessels are scheduled for construction or delivery between 2024 and 2027.
In addition to expanding its tanker business, Cape Shipping remains active in the bulk carrier and container ship sectors, with seven vessels in each sector.