The orderbook for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) currently accounts for 38% of the operational fleet. However, industry analysis by Veson Nautical indicates that this growth trajectory is unlikely to continue. The primary constraint is a severe lack of available capacity within global shipyards, which are reportedly maxed out with existing orders across various vessel types.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development suggests a potential future tightening in VLCC capacity. While the current orderbook is robust, the inability to place new orders means that the rate of fleet expansion will slow down significantly once these vessels are delivered. This could lead to upward pressure on tanker freight rates in the medium to long term, particularly if demand for crude oil transportation remains strong or increases. Shippers relying on VLCCs for crude movements should monitor these capacity trends closely as they may influence charter availability and pricing.