Tor Olav Trøim-backed VLCC owner Bruton is in talks with China’s New Times Shipyard over options for up to two more vessels, as it continues to bulk up its newbuilding pipeline. The Oslo-listed company said it is discussing the potential additional options, which, if agreed, would lift Bruton’s VLCC newbuilding programme to a total of 10 vessels. The talks follow Bruton’s announcement in January that it had exercised options for two additional VLCCs at New Times, taking its confirmed orderbook to eight ships. Pricing and payment terms for those vessels were unchanged from the most recent orders, with delivery scheduled in 2029. Bruton sealed the VLCC newbuilding deal in October last year with an order for two scrubber-fitted units at New Times, securing options for further vessels of the same design. Those initial ships are due to deliver between the fourth quarter of 2028 and the second quarter of 2029, while the first VLCC in the wider series is expected to hand over as early as July 2026. Alongside the expanding orderbook, Bruton has moved to strengthen its balance sheet. The company said it has raised around $50m through a private placement following the January vessel orders. The placement included $25m in backing from Trøim’s Drew Holdings and Koch Shipping. Proceeds will be used to cover instalments under the VLCC newbuilding programme, as well as for general working capital purposes. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsNorway