China's Hengli Heavy Industries has secured a contract with Singapore's Eastern Pacific Shipping for 12 new vessels worth between US$1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, reported Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.

Deliveries are scheduled from the second half of 2027 through 2028. The order covers six very large crude carriers of about 306,000 dwt each, two LNG dual-fuel Suezmax tankers of 157,000 dwt, and four container ships with 6,000 TEU capacity.

The vessels will be fitted with scrubber technology and LNG dual-fuel systems to meet decarbonisation targets set under the International Maritime Organisation's green shipping agenda.

Hengli previously won an order for ten 24,000 TEU ships from MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company last year, underscoring its growing role in global shipbuilding.