Oman's state-owned shipping company Asyad Shipping (formerly Oman Shipping) has completed its acquisition of two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for US$205 million.
Shipbrokers believe that Asyad Shipping is acquiring two VLCC sister vessels, Landbridge Wisdom and Landbridge Glory, both built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, for delivery in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Each VLCC measures 332.95 meters long, 60 meters wide and 30 meters deep and has a maximum deadweight of 308,000 and can sail more than 25,000 nautical miles. With a design draught of 20.5 metres, each tanker can normally carry two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Malacca.
The vessels are also equipped with desulphurisation devices, which effectively reduce SOx emissions during each voyage. Energy-saving features on each ship include streamlined hull lines, a more energy-efficient main engine, and a large-diameter high-efficiency propeller.
The acquisition of the VLCCs is part of Asyad Shipping's US$2.7 billion program to expand its fleet.