Japan's K Line has placed orders with local yards for three VLCCs and two aframax tankers.

The company has signed for two of the VLCCs at Kawasaki Heavy Industries with delivery scheduled for 2017 and 2018, while it has gone to Namura Shipbuilding for the other VLCC and two aframax tankers, due for delivery in 2018 and 2019.

K Line says that the orders are in line with their fleet upgrading plan under the latest medium-term management plan, and the vessels are designed to comply with forthcoming rules including the latest Ballast Water convention.