Japan's Idemitsu Tanker announced on August 17 that it placed an order for one 300,000 dwt very large crude oil carrier at IHI Marine United (IHIMU), with delivery in 2014.
The vessel is known to be built with 16% improved fuel efficiency, 15% reduced NOx emission and 21% cut CO2 emission.
Meanwhile, after Lehman Shock occurred, investment in newbuilding VLCCs by Japanese ship owners have ceased since MOL having awarded two vessels at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2010.
Bur in 2012, JX Group-affiliated shipowners booked a total of two VLCCs at IHIMU in May, and during the same month, Kyoei Tanker placed an order for one 318,000 dwt VLCC at Universal Shipbuilding with delivery in early 2014.