Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Shipbuilding is said to have won an order to build a series VLCCs from compatriot China Merchants Energy Shipping.

It is suggested the three firm and three optional tankers are priced at $85m each.

The first firm vessel is scheduled to be delivered at the end of 2014 and the other two firm tankers will follow in Q1 and Q3 2015, sources say.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing stands on 14 other newbuildings on its books for delivery until late 2014.