Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding Secures 8-Vessel Order from Singapore Shipowner Hai Soon Diesel
Jiujiang, China – October 18, 2025
Jiangxi Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has officially signed a batch shipbuilding contract with Singapore-based shipowner Hai Soon Diesel & Trading Pte Ltd, marking a significant milestone in the shipyard’s international expansion strategy.
The agreement, signed through an online ceremony, covers a “4+4” vessel construction program, including 7,999 DWT oil/chemical tankers and 1,360 DWT product tankers. The project represents a major step forward in the long-term cooperation between the two companies and further strengthens Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding’s presence in the international tanker market.
Dual Vessel Types for Efficient Regional Transportation
The contract includes a total of eight vessels (four firm orders plus four options), which will be constructed and delivered in phases, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 onward.
According to market information reported by Clarksons, the initial order consists of:
- Two 7,999 DWT oil/chemical tankers
- Two 1,360 DWT product tankers
Additional sister vessels are expected to follow under the optional portion of the agreement.
The two vessel types are designed to serve complementary market segments. The 1,360 DWT product tankers are optimized for short-haul coastal transportation and bunker distribution operations, offering excellent maneuverability and operational efficiency. The larger 7,999 DWT oil/chemical tankers are intended for regional and international trades, providing enhanced cargo flexibility, environmental performance, and fuel efficiency.
Both vessel designs will be further optimized to meet the latest environmental requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Singapore maritime regulations.
Strengthening International Cooperation
Established in 1989, Hai Soon Diesel & Trading is one of Singapore’s leading marine fuel suppliers and bunker operators. The company operates a fleet of approximately 20 tankers and bunker vessels, providing marine fuel services both alongside terminals and offshore.
The newly ordered 7,999 DWT tankers will become the largest vessels in Hai Soon’s fleet, significantly expanding its transportation and operational capabilities across the region.
A New Chapter for Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding
The contract marks Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding’s first overseas tanker export project in more than a decade.
The shipyard, formerly known as Jiujiang Xiangsheng Shipbuilding, has previously delivered tankers to international owners, including:
- The 28,000 DWT tanker “RIGEL” for Singapore-based Wilmar International in 2017;
- Two 7,000 DWT product tankers for Malaysia’s Orkim Group in 2009.
Following a comprehensive restructuring and strategic investment, Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding resumed full-scale operations in 2024 and has since developed a diversified product portfolio covering:
- Oil and chemical tankers
- LNG-powered vessels
- Inland new-energy cargo vessels
- Coastal transportation vessels
The shipyard holds approvals from major classification societies, including CCS, BV and ABS, and has an annual production capacity of approximately 200,000 DWT.
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Advancing the Global Expansion Strategy
Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding views this contract as a major milestone in its international development roadmap.
Beyond securing its first batch export order since the shipyard’s restructuring, the project will enhance the company’s capabilities in international project management, quality assurance, and series production, while strengthening the reputation of Chinese shipbuilding in the global tanker market.
Industry observers believe the order reflects the growing competitiveness of China’s regional shipyards and highlights increasing opportunities arising from the industry’s transition toward green, smart, and internationally-oriented shipbuilding solutions.
As construction progresses, the partnership between Xinxiangsheng Shipbuilding and Hai Soon Diesel is expected to contribute to the development of more efficient and environmentally responsible tanker transportation across Southeast Asia and beyond.
