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DNV: New tanker and bulker expert team in China supports global newbuild projects

Emergence of new bunker fuels along with new efficiency-enhancing technologies and new rules and regulations have led to new levels of sophistication, according Jing Yang Sunny Li of DNV China.

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DNV: New tanker and bulker expert team in China supports global newbuild projects

Classification society DNV on Monday (19 August) published a Maritime Impact article on its Shanghai team that was set up to support the local shipbuilding industry as well as owners placing newbuild orders in China, particularly bulk carriers and tankers:

DNV has established a team of experts in China to provide efficient, timely and proactive support to the local shipbuilding industry as well as owners placing newbuild orders in China. The focus is on bulk carriers and tankers, the two ship types anticipated to see the most vigorous growth in the coming years.

China has been experiencing an exceptional shipbuilding boom since the global economy began recovering from the pandemic. While containerships have been dominating newbuild orders in recent years, the demand for new tankers and bulk carriers is soaring, driven by many new requirements older tonnage cannot meet, especially in the context of decarbonization and digitalization. In response, DNV has created a team of experts to provide fast and efficient information to Chinese designers, yards, cargo owners and shipowners, helping them understand and implement new requirements and technologies while assuring highest quality.

Supporting the transformation of the global fleet

“Based on our market forecast, we estimate that more than 1,700 tankers and 2,900 bulk carriers will need to be replaced in the coming 5 years,” explains Jing Yang Sunny Li, Ship Type Expert for tankers at DNV China. China is the most important country for bulk and tanker newbuild projects, he adds. “According to Clarksons, 66% of bulk carrier and 63% of oil tanker newbuild orders, measured in gross tonnage, are placed in China, while in 2023 close to 80% of the bulker orders were awarded to Chinese yards.”

The transformation of the global fleet in this age of change brings both challenges and opportunities to the shipping industry, the expert points out. “The emergence of new fuels, in particular LNG, methanol and ammonia, along with new efficiency-enhancing technologies and new rules and regulations have led to new levels of sophistication. This calls for closer cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure quality, improved efficiency and innovation. We also want DNV to be the trusted voice in China in tackling this global transformation.”

New shipyards in great need of experienced support

Eastern Asian shipyards are busier than ever. Even the established yards in China are finding it difficult to keep up with incoming tanker and bulker orders, says Li. “Current delivery dates for new orders start at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. Therefore, we are seeing new shipyards entering the bulker and tanker newbuild market. This year they have taken many orders from Greek tanker owners. The question for DNV has been: how can we support our customers to assure quality, so the vessels delivered are up to the owners’ expectations?”

The Chinese shipbuilding industry has many players, and the logistics of providing the know-how they need can be complex. In line with its customer-centric approach, DNV decided to make access to DNV expertise much easier for all these stakeholders. “At the same time we never compromise on quality,” Li points out. “So we have to utilize our expertise to focus on where we foresee potential risk and manage it from the beginning. The key is to cover all steps of the process, from pre-contract services to newbuild class approval, including technical workshops.”

Supporting ambitious newbuild projects from the beginning

Recent ambitious tanker newbuild projects supported by Li and his team include shuttle tankers for Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers being built at Zhoushan, and a high-standard shuttle tanker for North Sea Shipping at Dalian yard. Both vessel types are intended for operation in Brazilian waters and therefore need to be specified according to the Petrobras standard. The contract for the latter was signed in 2021, says Li, but DNV support to the yard began in 2017. DNV’s global experts organized workshops for the customer, and the ship was delivered in 2023. Furthermore, Xiangyu shipyard is building ten chemical tankers to DNV class; several very large crude carriers are on order at DSIC and NTS; and Stena is having several methanol-fuelled medium-range chemical tankers built at GSI yard. On the bulker front, numerous Ultramax and Kamsarmax orders were placed in 2023, while in 2024 a run for Newcastlemax and very large ore carriers (VLOCs) can be seen. Sophisticated dual-fuel VLOCs with wind-assisted propulsion systems ordered by Shangdong Shipping on charter to Vale marks one of the highlights, together with the unique VLOCs for Winning International Group that will transport bauxite and iron ore from the new mining project in Simandou, West Africa.

Note: The full DNV Maritime Impact article can be found here.

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 22 August 2024

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Newbuilding

LR launches Newbuild Advisory service, guide on major North Asian shipyards

Advisory service is designed to support shipowners, operators, yards, and investors throughout the design and build process while updated guide gives detailed insight into shipyards across China, Korea and Japan.

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20 hours ago

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June 3, 2026

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RESIZED Chris Pagan

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Tuesday (2 June) said it is growing its role in the newbuilding market with the launch of its Newbuild Advisory Service and updated New Construction Guide.

With global demand continuing to reshape shipyard orderbooks, owners are balancing a growing number of considerations during the planning phase of newbuilding projects, including fuel readiness, delivery timelines, technical capability and long-term operational requirements.

Launching at Posidonia 2026, the Newbuild Advisory service is designed to support shipowners, operators, yards, and investors throughout the design and build process, helping them to manage risk, optimise performance, and make informed decisions from concept through to delivery.

Drawing on experience from more than 500 new building projects, the Newbuild Advisory Service helps clients make better design and technology choices upfront, giving greater control over cost and schedule as projects progress, and reducing the risk of misalignment between owner expectations and yard execution.

It also adds a layer of independent oversight, with a focus on build quality, efficiency and long-term asset performance.

Sujith Tooneri, Global Head – Newbuild Advisory Services, LR, said: “Ship newbuilding for the future starts with making the right decisions today, and these decisions will shape the next generation of maritime operations.

“LR’s Newbuild Advisory Services provide expert guidance from concept to delivery, helping you design, specify and implement solutions that meet tomorrow’s standards. From concept, regulatory impact and risk to GHG reduction strategies and integrating innovative technologies, we ensure your fleet is smarter, safer and future ready.”

Alongside the Newbuild Advisory Service launch, LR is introducing an updated New Construction Guide, providing detailed insight into major North Asian shipyards, on yard capabilities, experience and regional strengths in a single, easy-to-use tool.

The guide brings together independent shipyard intelligence across China, Korea and Japan to help owners, operators and project teams compare options more confidently before entering newbuild discussions.

The guide reflects LR’s extensive knowledge of key shipyards, regional shipbuilding activity and newbuilding considerations, combined with its technical expertise across classification, plan approval, technical advisory and digital support services.

Sherry Li, Global Head of New Construction, LR, said: “Selecting the right shipyard has become more complex as owners balance delivery schedules, fuel transition strategies and changing market requirements. Clients need reliable insight early in the process to help them make confident decisions and reduce uncertainty around newbuilding projects.

“Our updated New Construction Guide reflects LR’s depth of knowledge across key shipbuilding regions, particularly North Asia. It is designed to give clients practical support as they evaluate shipyard capability, plan future fleet investment and navigate increasingly complex construction requirements.”

The Newbuild Advisory Service and updated New Construction Guide will be featured at the LR stand during Posidonia, as part of broader engagement with owners, yards and charterers on the next phase of newbuild activity.

 

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Methanol

Maritime Blue calls for proposals on methanol bunker barge design

Maritime Blue, in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, and ABS, is seeking a naval architecture firm to develop design schematics for a methanol bunker barge.
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6 days ago

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May 29, 2026

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Maritime Blue, in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), is seeking a qualified naval architecture firm to develop design schematics for a methanol bunker barge.

A Request for Proposals (RFP), issued on 11 May, invited companies to submit a proposal for the barge, which will be used as the supply ship in a ship-to-ship methanol bunkering exercise during a high level risk assessment workshop planned for September 2026. 

The design is intended for a desktop exercise to identify operational requirements and safety gaps for green methanol bunkering in the Seattle-Tacoma Gateway.

The bunker barge is expected to have a methanol capacity of approximately 30,000 bbls but contractors may propose alternative capacities with justification. 

The receiving ship for the workshop has not been selected yet, but is anticipated to be a cargo, container, cruise, or ro-ro ship.

Maritime Blue said the submission deadline for the proposals is 1 June at 3pm PDT.

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 29 May, 2026

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Newbuilding

Fratelli Cosulich readies methanol-ready bunker tanker for maiden voyage to Singapore

Vessel will now commence preparations for her maiden voyage to Singapore, where it is expected to support the Group’s ongoing bunkering operations and further strengthen its presence in the city-state.
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2 weeks ago

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May 21, 2026

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Fratelli Cosulich readies methanol-ready bunker tanker for maiden voyage to Singapore

Marine fuel supplier Fratelli Cosulich on Wednesday (20 May) said it celebrated the delivery of Anna Cosulich, one of the Group’s new generation of methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within its fleet expansion programme.

Delivered at the Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard (China), the vessel marked another important milestone for the Marine Energy business unit. 

The vessel will now commence preparations for her maiden voyage to Singapore, where it is expected to support the Group’s ongoing bunkering operations and further strengthen its presence in one of the world’s leading bunkering hubs. 

“All necessary arrangements and preparations are being carried out to ensure a smooth transition into operations ahead of her voyage,” the company said. 

“We wish Anna Cosulich and her crew a safe voyage ahead and fair winds on her maiden journey to Singapore.”

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 21 May, 2026

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