Ibaizabal Group Orders New Suezmax Tankers from China's Hengli Heavy Industries

Spanish shipping company Ibaizabal Group has placed an order for new suezmax crude oil tankers, marking its return to this segment of the shipbuilding market after more than a decade. The group's tanker division, Ibaizabal Tankers, is understood to have contracted at least two 158,000 dwt crude carriers from China's Hengli Heavy Industries, a shipyard based in Dalian.

This order indicates a renewed focus by Ibaizabal on expanding its capacity for crude oil transportation. The suezmax class of tankers is significant for its ability to transit the Suez Canal fully loaded, making them crucial for global oil trade routes.

For freight forwarders and operations managers, an increase in the global suezmax fleet, even by a small number of vessels, contributes to overall vessel availability in the crude oil tanker market. While the immediate impact on spot rates for general cargo is negligible, it reflects ongoing investment in specific segments of maritime transport, which can indirectly influence broader shipping dynamics over time by freeing up other vessel types. The delivery timeline for these newbuilds will determine when they enter active service and begin affecting market capacity.