Neu Seeschiffahrt GmbH has reportedly cancelled its order for six 342,000-dwt very large ore carriers (VLOCs) at China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry's (CMI) Qingdao yard following disagreements between the two parties. The contract, signed in December 2025 during Marintec China, was seen as a significant international order for the Qingdao yard's return to the large VLOC market. Despite the reported cancellation, neither Neu Seeschiffahrt nor CMI Qingdao have publicly confirmed the development. Clarksons data as of 17 July 2026 still lists all six methanol-ready VLOCs as "On Order" with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031, indicating the change has not yet been updated in commercial orderbooks. This development coincides with China Merchants Energy Shipping's (CMES) separate plan to build six 343,000-dwt VLOCs within the China Merchants shipbuilding group. While the two projects are similar in size and delivery timing, there is no public indication that the CMES vessels will replace the Neu Seeschiffahrt series. Industry watchers await further updates from the owner and shipbuilder regarding the status of the six hulls.