Swiss commodities trader Mercuria is expanding its order book for the tanker newbuilding market and is now in the process of placing its third order for new vessels from China.
Mercuria has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) for the construction of six 41,000 dwt MR product tankers, which are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2028, according to Trade Winds.
The newbuilding contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) is Mercuria’s third newbuilding order in the tanker newbuilding market so far this year, all of which have been undertaken by Chinese shipyards. The other two orders are for very large crude carriers (VLCC) and Panamax product tankers.
In April, Mercuria signed a contract for the construction of two 300,000 dwt VLCCs with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) under China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) through an innovative form of long term chartering and owning of vessels. The new vessels are conventionally fueled and are expected to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, with a total order value of $240 million.
Mercuria’s order marks the company’s return to the VLCC construction market after several years. The world’s first 318,000 DWT VLCC “Huashan”, which fully meets the latest International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Common Structural Code, was delivered by SWS.
Mercuria has signed a contract with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for the construction of two 74,000 dwt Panamax product tankers. The order is valued at approximately $112 million, and the new buildings, which are traditionally fueled, are expected to be delivered in 2027.
Founded in 2004, Mercuri is one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodities groups with operations in more than 50 countries on five continents. It currently operates a fleet of 42 vessels, of which 37 are owned and 2 VLCCs are chartered.