Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) announced that it has signed shipbuilding agreements with Nihon Shipyard for the construction of three very large crude carriers.
The vessels will be of the Malaccamax type designed for the transport of crude oil on maritime routes connecting the Middle East and Asia via the Strait of Malacca.
Explaining the choice of shipbuilder, K Line indicated that Nihon Shipyard was selected due to the builder's technical expertise and extensive manufacturing track record with Malaccamax vessels.
Deliveries for the three newly contracted VLCCs are scheduled to begin from 2029.
According to the specifications released by the company, each vessel will have an overall length of 339.5 metres, a breadth of 60 metres, and a deadweight capacity of 311,000 tonnes.
K Line currently operates a fleet of 439 vessels which include dry bulk carriers, container ships, car carriers, and liquefied natural gas and oil tankers.