On August 6, China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) announced that it had exercised an option through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Associated Maritime Company (Hong Kong) Limited (AMCL), to order one 154,000 DWT DPST-class dynamic positioning shuttle tanker from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC). This order marks the finalization of the previously agreed “1+1” shuttle tanker order.
The announcement discloses that on December 31, 2025, CMES, through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMCL, entered into a shipbuilding agreement with DSIC for the construction of one firm and one optional (1+1) dynamic positioning shuttle tanker (Suezmax class). The total contract value is approximately RMB 1.79 billion (about USD 265 million), covering one firm vessel and one vessel subject to the buyer’s option, with delivery expected in 2028.
CMES stated that, in order to meet the capacity requirements of core clients for dynamic positioning shuttle tankers in deep-water oilfield development projects, the company is investing in the construction of one firm and one optional (1+1) vessel of this type and has signed long-term time charter contracts with the clients. The agreement became effective upon signing; it has been approved by the company’s Board of Directors and does not require submission to the shareholders’ meeting or the consent of creditors.
Including the aforementioned order, CMES has signed multiple shipbuilding agreements with DSIC so far this year, covering 10 VLCCs, 5 Aframax tankers, and 2 shuttle tankers.
According to official website information, DSIC was established in 1898. It is a key final assembly enterprise of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and serves as a major production base for surface warships, high-end vessels, and offshore engineering equipment in China.
DSIC has established an overall operational layout comprising “one headquarters and three bases.” The headquarters, located in Dalian, serves as the center for R&D, marketing, and management. The three production bases—Dalian, Tianjin, and Shanhaiguan—cover a total area of approximately 12 million square meters and feature 19 dry docks, 8 slipways, and 18.4 kilometers of outfitting quays. The Dalian base focuses on VLCCs, 110,000-dwt product oil tankers, and large LNG carriers; the Shanhaiguan base specializes in the batch construction of medium-sized bulk carriers, oil tankers, and container ships; and the Tianjin base concentrates on the development of large container ships and VLCCs.
