Onomichi Dockyard of Japan has landed its first newbuilding contract for 2020.

The Hiroshima-based shipbuilder disclosed it has secured a pair of 50,000-dwt medium-range (MR) tanker newbuildings from domestic shipping company and MOL subsidiary Asahi Tanker.

Speaking to TradeWinds, a shipyard executive said the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a newbuilding order scare as shipowners are adopting a wait-and-see attitude.