Four shipowners from Sweden, Norway and Canada have placed orders for four VINGA product tankers, increasing the Furetank-developed series to 26 vessels.

Two of the newbuildings will be owned by FureBear, the joint venture between Sweden’s Furetank and Canada’s Algoma Central Corporation. Norwegian shipowner O.H. Meling and Sweden’s Älvtank will each own one vessel.

The contracts represent O.H. Meling’s first investment in the VINGA series. Älvtank already owns three vessels of the design and participated in the series’ initial order, with those ships delivered in 2018.

The four 17,999-dwt product tankers are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029. They will be constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, China, and registered under the Swedish flag.

Following delivery, the vessels will enter the Gothia Tanker Alliance and will be commercially managed by Furetank Chartering.

Developed by Furetank in cooperation with FKAB Marine Design, the ice-class 1A VINGA design incorporates dual-fuel capability. The tankers will be able to operate using liquid biomethane, LNG or gasoil. They will also be equipped to receive shore power and designed with a battery-hybrid solution.

O.H. Meling CEO Olav H. Meling said the investment forms part of the company’s fleet renewal plans, as its two existing intermediate tankers are approaching the 20-year age threshold for trading in the European tanker market. He described the VINGA vessels as technically robust and efficient, adding that they have demonstrated consistent market demand.

Älvtank CEO Christian Nilsson said the company expects continued long-term demand for product tankers of this size, despite an anticipated decline in petrol and diesel volumes. He pointed to a growing proportion of lighter chemicals, biofuels and other liquid cargoes.

Nilsson also highlighted the design’s cargo flexibility. Each vessel has 12 cargo tanks, allowing several smaller parcels to be loaded and discharged at different terminals during the same voyage. He said this operating profile could remain relevant in Europe as demand for significantly larger vessels decreases.