Recently, CIMC Raffles officially signed a contract with Norwegian shipowner Bruton for the construction of four 319,000 DWT Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). This signing marks CIMC Raffles’ successful entry into the VLCC construction market.
It is understood that the unit price of this batch of new vessels is US$124.75 million, with a total contract value of approximately US$500 million, and delivery is scheduled between January and July 2028.
The four new vessels will be built based on the mature design of the MARIC 319,000 DWT VLCC, equipped with open scrubbers, approximately 330 meters in length, 60 meters in beam, and 22.5 meters in structural draft. This vessel type meets international environmental regulations while also taking into account the economic efficiency and energy performance of ship operation.
Founded in 2023, Bruton is an Oslo-listed shipping investment company dedicated to building a modern fleet platform centered around large oil tankers. From 2023 to 2026, Bruton ordered eight VLCCs from New Times Shipbuilding, with deliveries expected between July 2026 and 2029.
It is worth mentioning that these four new vessels mark CIMC Raffles’ first VLCC order, achieving a breakthrough in the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) sector. In recent years, its order structure has mainly consisted of Ro-Ro vessels, car carriers, wind turbine installation vessels, and container ships.