Belgian tanker giant Euronav has made a significant move by ordering two dual-fuel 17,000 dwt bitumen tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. Expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026, these vessels mark a strategic expansion for Euronav. They have already secured a decade-long charter with an undisclosed reputable client, showcasing Euronav's ability to attract strong partnerships.

These tankers are designed to carry asphalt at high temperatures of up to 250 degrees and are equipped with dual-fuel green methanol engines, setting the stage for potential future operation on ammonia. The Saverys family-controlled company aims to significantly upscale its bitumen tanker fleet, as the newbuilds will be twice the size of the existing vessels in this category.

This announcement follows Euronav's recent time charter contracts with Valero and its pioneering initiative in partnership with CMB.TECH, NCL, and Yara to construct the world's first ammonia-fueled containership. With these developments, Euronav's total contract backlog now stands at an impressive $1.97 billion, reflecting a strong vote of confidence from top-tier industry players.

image credit: Euronav

Alexander Saverys, CEO of Euronav, expressed confidence in the company's ability to secure long-term partnerships, stating, "In recent months, we have secured a total of 55 years of time charter cover.This proves that our customers are ready to partner with Euronav and CMB.TECH to develop future-proof solutions for the shipping industry."