On June 1, during the Posidonia 2026 Maritime Exhibition in Greece, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd (CSTC), formally signed a contract with Greece’s Dynacom for the construction of 12 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).The total value of the contract amounts to nearly 10 billion RMB, with a portion of the payment to be settled in RMB.
This contract marks another collaboration between Hudong-Zhonghua and the Procopiou family, Greece’s leading shipping dynasty, following the delivery of two Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) in 2021. It opens a new chapter for Hudong-Zhonghua in the field of oil tanker construction and fully demonstrates the company’s brand influence as a global leader in high-end shipbuilding.
The 12 VLCCs contracted in this agreement are based on the latest-generation 307,000 DWT VLCC design developed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC), a subsidiary of CSSC. The design adheres to standard VLCC dimensions and incorporates the latest advanced technologies and design specifications.
This vessel design features an optimized hull form tailored to the owner’s specific terminal requirements, and—through the integration of high-efficiency propellers and energy-saving devices—achieves industry-leading fuel economy. It employs an innovative structural design scheme that simultaneously achieves structural lightweighting while facilitating ease of construction. Equipped with a WinGD main engine, as well as scrubbers and high-pressure SCR systems, the vessel fully complies with the latest international environmental emission regulations. Furthermore, it incorporates a mature and reliable cargo oil pump system design, along with the addition of a cargo tank heating system, thereby satisfying the owner’s unique operational requirements.
Notably, against the backdrop of a continuously strengthening RMB, Hudong-Zhonghua has actively engaged in negotiations with shipowners to secure partial settlement in RMB. By enabling dual-currency settlement—in both RMB and USD—for overseas shipowners, the company effectively manages project-related exchange rate risks and strives to maximize project profitability.
As a flagship player in the Greek shipping industry and a key player in the global energy transportation landscape, Dynacom’s decision to once again place a bulk order with Hudong-Zhonghua not only reflects its recognition of the shipbuilder’s comprehensive capabilities and delivery quality, but also underscores leading shipowners’ strategic assessment that high-end shipbuilding resources are increasingly concentrating in Chinese shipyards. This multi-billion-yuan order serves as strong evidence of the international market’s deep trust in Hudong-Zhonghua, highlighting the exceptional competitiveness and influence of China’s shipbuilding industry within the global energy maritime equipment sector.
Hudong-Zhonghua is China’s leading commercial shipbuilder, offering the most comprehensive range of vessel types, the largest portfolio of high-end products, and the strongest construction capabilities. It was the first shipbuilder in China’s shipbuilding industry to receive the “China Industrial Award.” Its product portfolio spans a wide range of high-tech, high-value-added vessel types, including large LNG carriers, ultra-large container ships, VLCCs, and multi-purpose vessels. The company has established a leading track record of deliveries and a mature construction system across multiple market segments.