A shipbuilder in Yantai, East China's Shandong province, has secured an order for four 157,000-deadweight-ton (DWT) Suezmax crude oil tankers, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030, marking a major step in its expansion into large oil tanker construction.

Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry Co signed a contract with Eastaway, a tanker subsidiary of Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, for vessels valued at about $80 million each, bringing the total contract value to approximately $320 million, according to industry reports.

The order marks Jinglu Shipyard's entry into the Suezmax tanker segment, building on its prior experience constructing medium-range oil and chemical tankers up to 50,000 DWT.

The company has also expanded into large container ship construction. In 2024, it secured orders from Mediterranean Shipping Company for 11,500-TEU liquefied natural gas dual-fuel container ships. The series has since grown to 16 confirmed vessels, with four additional options availability.

Jinglu Shipyard currently holds orders for more than 90 vessels, all for export, with clients from Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Germany, according to company information.

Established in 2006, the state-controlled shipbuilder is upgrading its product portfolio toward larger, higher-value and more technologically advanced vessels. Its current construction program includes container ships of up to 22,000 TEU, oil and chemical tankers, Suezmax crude carriers, and tuna purse seiners.

The latest contract reflects growing international demand for diversified shipbuilding capacity and provides the company with a longer-term production pipeline. However, building Suezmax tankers will also test the company's capabilities in large-scale hull construction, cargo system integration, and project delivery.

The company seeks to expand overseas through long-term customer relationships, industry partnerships, and international maritime exhibitions.