German shipowner H Vogemann has been linked with high-profile orders at China’s Hengli Shipbuilding, including a VLCC and two Capesize bulk carriers
Guangdong Songfa Ceramics disclosed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 14 October that its subsidiary Hengli Shipbuilding has signed and activated contracts for the construction of three vessels: a 306,000-dwt VLCC and two Capesize bulk carriers.
The total contract value is estimated at over US$200M, with the counterparty described as a well-known international shipping company. All three vessels are scheduled for delivery by the second half of 2027.
Shipbroking and market sources have linked H Vogemann to this deal.
According to Equasis, H Vogemann currently operates 23 vessels, all bulk carriers. If confirmed, the latest order would mark the owner’s return to the tanker market, following the sale of its product tankers in 2023.
The German owner is a long-standing client of Hengli Shipbuilding.Last month, Riviera reported an order for six Kamsarmax bulk carriers with deliveries expected in 2027. H Vogemann has contracted Hengli over the past few years, primarily for Capesize and Kamsarmax vessels.
Founded in Hamburg in 1886, H Vogemann operates under a three-pillar model encompassing shipbroking, shipmanagement and maritime services.
Hengli Shipbuilding on the rise
Hengli Shipbuilding has been particularly active in recent weeks, securing new contracts with a focus on VLCCs. Prominent shipping magnates such as George Prokopiou and John Fredriksen have also been linked to recent deals at the yard.
The private yard, acquired by Hengli Group following the purchase of the former STX Dalian facility, has posted exceptional growth over the past two years. By the end of 2024, Hengli had amassed an orderbook of 19.9M dwt, ranking it as the world’s sixth-largest shipbuilding group, according to BRS Shipbrokers.
Earlier this year, Hengli launched its Factory of the Future initiative, focusing on high-value-added vessel types such as VLCCs, VLGCs and ultra-large container ships, among others.
