Four owners bet big on 26-strong tanker fleet: the Vinga series grows again
A fresh four-ship order at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard pushes Furetank’s Vinga series to 26 vessels.
A consortium of four European and Canadian shipping companies has placed an order for four new product tankers at a Chinese shipyard, expanding Furetank’s Vinga series to 26 vessels. The 17,999-deadweight-tonne (dwt) ships will be constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2029.
The allocation includes two vessels for FureBear, a joint venture equally owned by Sweden’s Furetank and Canada’s Algoma Central Corporation. Swedish operator Älvtank will take one, while Norway’s O.H. Meling will receive the fourth, marking its first participation in the Vinga programme. All four tankers will sail under the Swedish flag, join the Gothia Tanker Alliance, and be commercially managed by Furetank Chartering. Financial details of the contract remain undisclosed.
The latest order reflects both fleet renewal needs and shifting market demands. O.H. Meling stated that its two existing intermediate tankers are nearing the 20-year age limit for operating in European waters, making replacement necessary. Meanwhile, Älvtank, which already operates three Vinga-class vessels, will increase its fleet to four, citing growing demand for intermediate tonnage as European liquid bulk trades transition toward biofuels, renewable feedstocks, and chemicals.
Natural Gas
Market drivers behind the expansion: vinga series
The Vinga series has seen consistent expansion in recent years. In July 2022, Furetank ordered its 11th Vinga-class tanker. Later that year, the FureBear joint venture doubled its initial four-ship programme to eight, all built at the same Yangzhou facility. By February 2024, the series had reached 21 vessels, with Furetank adding two more units for delivery in late 2026. At that stage, 19 of the 21 ships were under Furetank’s commercial management, while 14 were fully operated by the Swedish company.
The latest order brings the total to 26 vessels, more than doubling the programme’s size from four years ago. Designed by Furetank in collaboration with FKAB Marine Design, the ice-class 1A tankers feature 12 cargo tanks and can operate on LNG, liquid biomethane, or gasoil. The design also incorporates battery-hybrid systems and shore-power connectivity.
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