Trafigura has ordered a 319,000 dwt eco-friendly VLCC from Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (HT) , bringing its VLCC order book at the shipyard to six, according to Trade Winds.
None of the individual VLCC costs for the series of orders have been disclosed, but according to shipbrokers, each VLCC is priced at around $120 million. Based on this estimate, the total value of the six VLCCs is about $720 million. The sixth VLCC, which is the same as the first five VLCCs, has an ammonia-ready design with a desulfurization unit and will be delivered in 2027.
Trafigura’s first five VLCCs were divided into two orders, with order information made public in February and June of this year for two and three units respectively.
HT said the VLCCs is designed with advanced technology to meet the latest International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for environmental protection and energy efficiency, and will be built in strict compliance with international ship standards.
Based in Singapore, Trafigura is one of the world’s leading independent multinational commodity trading and logistics companies specializing in base metals and energy, including oil.
As one of the world’s largest metals and minerals traders, Trafigura sources, stores, blends and delivers essential raw materials and bulk commodities globally.In 2020, Trafigura’s trade in petroleum and petroleum products totaled 268 million metric tons, and it was ranked 27th on the Fortune 500 list.
HT’s main products are bulk carriers, liquid cargo ships and offshore products. Its bulk carriers range from 38,000 DWT to 208,000 DWT, while its liquid cargo carriers include MR product tankers, LR1 product tankers, LR2 product tankers, Suezmax tankers and a full range of VLCCs.
As of today, HT is holding an order book of 105 vessels, with deliveries scheduled through 2028.
