Trafigura, one of the world’s largest metal and mineral traders, has returned to a familiar Chinese shipyard to place further orders, thereby bolstering its backlog of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).
According to shipbroker Bancosta, Trafigura has placed an additional order for one 319,000-dwt VLCC with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (HT), bringing the total number of VLCCs ordered through this partnership to 11.
The collaboration between Trafigura and HT began in early 2024 with an initial order for two 319,000-dwt VLCCs. That contract marked HT’s entry into the VLCC construction sector—a significant breakthrough for the yard—and established it as one of the few privately-owned shipyards in China capable of building such vessels. For Trafigura, these newbuilds represent the company’s first fleet of owned VLCCs.
With the addition of this latest order for one vessel, Trafigura and HT have signed contracts for a total of 11 VLCCs since the beginning of 2024, comprising six ordered in 2024 and four in 2025—all featuring a specification of 319,000 deadweight tons.
On June 26, 2026, the lead vessel “Hantong 373” in the 319,000 DWT VLCC series built by HT for Trafigura—was completed and delivered. As the first VLCC delivered by HT since its inception, this vessel marks a significant “zero-to-one” breakthrough for the company in the VLCC construction sector, filling a gap in its shipbuilding portfolio.
Since entering the VLCC construction market in 2024, HT has rapidly expanded its order book to approximately 50 VLCCs within just two years, with delivery schedules extending to 2030, thereby establishing itself among the top tier of VLCC shipbuilders. In 2026 alone, including the additional order from Trafigura, HT secured contracts for over 20 VLCCs; these included orders from Yangzijiang (12 vessels), Zodiac Maritime of the UK (4 vessels), Yasa Shipping of Turkey (4 vessels), and Minsheng Financial Leasing (4 vessels), all with the 319,000 DWT specification.
In recent years, HT has continuously optimized its product mix—shifting from bulk carriers to include oil tankers—and increased R&D investment, gradually building manufacturing capabilities that span various vessel types, including bulk carriers, oil tankers, and container ships.
Overall, HT’s new shipbuilding projects this year have focused primarily on the tanker and bulk carrier markets, encompassing vessel types such as VLCCs, Suezmax tankers, product tankers, and Ultramax, Kamsarmax, and Newcastlemax bulk carriers. In addition to the aforementioned VLCC orders, the portfolio includes four Suezmax tankers, four firm plus two optional 115,000 DWT product tankers, eight firm plus four optional 82,000 DWT bulk carriers, three firm plus two optional 211,000 DWT bulk carriers, and four 63,500 DWT bulk carriers.