WinGD has secured a major propulsion contract to supply the main engines for 12 VLCCs being built for Greek shipping company Dynacom at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China.
The tanker order, announced earlier this year, is valued at around US$1.47 billion, with the first vessel expected to be delivered in October 2027.
Each ship will be powered by a WinGD 6X82-2.0 low-speed engine and fitted with scrubbers and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to meet current IMO emissions requirements.
The deal highlights how tanker owners are still prioritising fuel efficiency and operational reliability, even as the industry continues to explore alternative fuels.
Dynacom’s order is part of a wider surge in VLCC contracting. According to shipbroker EA Gibson, more than 120 VLCC orders have already been placed in 2026, surpassing previous annual records for the segment.
The majority of these new vessels are being ordered as conventionally fuelled ships, while LNG- and methanol-powered VLCCs remain relatively rare.
For many owners, modern conventional tankers equipped with emissions-reduction technologies are currently seen as the most practical balance between regulatory compliance, operating costs and fleet renewal.
WinGD says the strong demand for new VLCCs reflects confidence in the long-term crude tanker market and the need to replace an ageing global fleet with more efficient vessels.
Carmelo Cartalemi, WinGD’s General Manager for Global Sales, said owners investing in large crude carrier fleets continue to focus on fuel efficiency, reliability and proven operational performance.
He added that WinGD’s propulsion portfolio is designed to give shipowners flexibility today while also supporting future upgrades and retrofits as industry requirements evolve over a vessel’s lifetime.
