Bahri Orders Three VLCCs from IMI for SAR 1.692 Billion
Bahri has signed a SAR 1.692 billion contract with International Maritime Industries (IMI) for the construction of three 320,000 DWT Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The vessels are slated for delivery between 2029 and 2030 and will be built at IMI’s facility in Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Fleet Development
The order represents a significant scaling of domestic shipbuilding capacity for Bahri. Including this latest contract, the national carrier has committed to nine newbuilds within Saudi Arabia this year, a portfolio that now spans six Ultramax bulk carriers alongside the three VLCCs. This move signals a deliberate shift by Bahri to consolidate its fleet modernization program through local industrial integration rather than relying exclusively on established Far Eastern shipyards.
Operational and Market Implications
The incorporation of advanced energy-efficiency technologies into the VLCC design reflects an alignment with tightening global environmental standards, which will be essential for these assets as they enter service at the end of the decade. Beyond the technical specifications, the consolidation of these high-value tanker orders at IMI suggests a long-term commercial intent to institutionalize domestic maritime construction capabilities, potentially creating a localized service and supply chain ecosystem that could influence the operational flexibility of Bahri’s future tanker fleet.
