Asyad shores up fleet: Oman’s Asyad Shipping has purchased two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) from China-based Landbridge Universal Limited Company for USD 206 mn, according to a disclosure (pdf) to the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX). The shipping giant is in talks with Landbridge Universal to determine a date for final delivery. The move is part of Asyad Shipping’s five-year investment strategy, which has earmarked investments of up to OMR 1.04 bn for fleet expansion, according to the disclosure.

Ongoing efforts: The company has already invested USD 1 bn in fleet expansion, with new vessels planned to enter service in 2026 and 2027, including two LNG carriers, four crude oil tankers, and two oil derivative tankers. The move dovetails into part of a larger plan to invest between OMR 2.3-OMR 2.7 bn, Al Khaduri said. Last month, the company purchased two VLCCs for USD 205 mn from Chinese maritime transportation firm Huwell Group.

Fleet growth ambitions: Asyad Shipping plans on expanding its fleet — which stood at 85 vessels as of April 2025 — to venture into the transportation of ethylene and ammonia, CCO Imad Al Khadhuri told Oman News Agency on Saturday. The firm previously announced a plan

IN OTHER FLEET UPDATES FROM UAE-

Adnoc LTS adds new LNG carrier: Adnoc Logistics and Services has added Al Rahba to its fleet, the second of six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers ordered from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, according to a disclosure (pdf). With a 175k-cubic-meter capacity, the vessel is equipped with dual-fuel engines that aim to slash methane emissions by up to 50% compared to older vessels.

ICYMI- Adnoc received the first of six LNG carriers last November and the remaining vessels are set to be delivered throughout 2025 and 2026. The contract was agreed upon in 2022 and is part of a broader expansion strategy that has seen Adnoc place an order worth USD 1.9 bn for 11 dual-fuel low-carbon carriers in July 2024 from Jiangnan Shipyard.

Not the first order Jiangnan’s been tapped for: AW Shipping — a JV between Adnoc L&S and Wanhua Chemical Group — placed a USD 250 mn order for very large ammonia carriers from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard back in October 2024. The carriers — considered among the largest in the world — have an individual carrying capacity of 93k meters of ammonia and are slated for delivery between 2027 and 2028. Adnoc also placed an order worth USD 1.9 bn for 11 dual-fuel low-carbon carriers in July 2024 from Jiangnan Shipyard, with deliveries slated to start later this year.

It’s been on the cards: This is all part of a Adnoc L&S’ expansion spree revealed ahead of the company’s USD 769 mn IPO in 2023.

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