John Fredriksen is gearing up to splash out more than $500m on tanker newbuildings.

Industry sources said the Norwegian tycoon’s private vehicle Seatankers Management has signed a contract for a series of LR2 product tankers at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS). It is also in close discussion with the yard for up to four VLCCs.

Seatankers is said to have contracted the state-owned Chinese shipbuilder to build a pair of 115,000-dwt LR2s for delivery in the first quarter of 2020.