China delivers a 115,000 DWT tanker ahead of schedule in Shipbuilding News 22/05/2026 A 115,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) oil tanker built by DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. was officially delivered this week, more than five months ahead of schedule, highlighting the surging competitiveness of Chinese shipyards in the global market. The vessel measures 249.8 meters in length overall, with a beam of 44 meters and can transport over 800,000 barrels of crude oil or refined products per voyage. It boasts superior maneuverability, economic efficiency and environmental performance compared to earlier vessels in its class. Yan Guangjun, manufacturing director at DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding, attributed the early delivery to standardized series construction and optimized production scheduling. He noted that the design offers operational flexibility, excellent port accessibility and strong seaworthiness, making it a highly sought-after mainstream vessel type. The delivery comes amid a boom in orders for Chinese shipyards. Industry data shows that Chinese builders secured over 90% of global Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) orders in the first quarter. Peng Guisheng, marketing director at DSIC, stated that contracted tanker orders this year have exceeded 6 million DWT, with 42 vessels scheduled to commence construction in 2026. He emphasized that Chinese shipbuilders now lead in build quality, delivery reliability and cost-effectiveness. According to official statistics, Chinese yards secured contracts for 67 VLCCs totaling 20.649 million DWT in Q1, accounting for 92% of global contracting activity. Backlogs at major yards are booked through 2030. Chinese shipbuilders accelerate development of dual-fuel VLCCs As one of the three pillars of global merchant shipping, oil tankers are seeing rapid technological evolution in China. A building LNG dual-fuel VLCC is already attracting global shipowner attention. Unlike conventional VLCCs, this giant – measuring 332.95