There are more than a dozen VLCCs coming up for replacement.
Imabari Shipbuilding, Namura Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United (JMU), Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, through its Chinese subsidiary Nantong Cosco KHI Engineering Co (Nacks), are among those currently understood to be in talks with both domestic oil companies and industrial carriers over VLCC newbuildings.
MES last week launched a new eco-design VLCC in a bid to take advantage of the prospective demand.
