Carlova Maritime Ordered Two Aframax Tankers
The shipping firm has contracted Imabari Shipbuilding to build two 114,000 dwt vessels for its growing fleet.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Live Poll
Should shipping companies prioritize building new vessels at domestic shipyards?
Carlova Maritime has placed an order for two 114,000 dwt aframax tankers with Imabari Shipbuilding. The project includes hull construction at Sumitomo Heavy Industries' facility in Yokosuka.
Why it matters
This order expands the firm's total vessel orderbook to six, signaling a continued commitment to fleet modernization under the leadership of Anthony Inglessis.
The new contract covers two 114,000 dwt aframax tankers, expanding the company's total orderbook to six vessels. Imabari Shipbuilding is outsourcing mega-blocks for the construction process.
The players
Carlova Maritime
This is an international shipping company that manages a fleet of tankers and other commercial vessels.
Anthony Inglessis
He serves as the leader of Carlova Maritime and oversees the company's strategic fleet expansion initiatives.
Imabari Shipbuilding
Based in Japan, this major shipbuilding corporation constructs large-scale commercial vessels for global maritime clients.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries
This Japanese industrial manufacturer maintains a shipyard facility in Yokosuka that is supporting the hull construction project.
The details
Imabari Shipbuilding will manage the project, with significant portions of the hull construction outsourced to Sumitomo Heavy Industries' Yokosuka facility. These vessels join a fleet that already includes the 2025-built Phaedra and the 2023-built Penelope.
Timeline
The Penelope vessel was built in 2023.
The Phaedra vessel was built in 2025.
The first tanker is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2029.
The second tanker is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2030.
Market Landscape
This contract follows the industry-wide trend of newbuilding activity reported by Splash in April 2026. It highlights the competitive environment for global maritime operators looking to modernize fleets through established Japanese shipyards.
The expansion of this tanker fleet ensures the availability of large-capacity vessels for future global energy transport needs. While this move does not change immediate retail prices, it maintains the long-term logistical capacity required for energy distribution networks.
The takeaway
Shipping firms are increasingly securing long-term vessel supply chains to hedge against future capacity shortages in the tanker market. Investors and industry observers should monitor these orderbook developments as they indicate confidence in global trade volume through the end of the decade.
Further reading
For more information on industry trends, visit the /business/industry/oil-gas/ section.
Live Poll
Should shipping companies prioritize building new vessels at domestic shipyards?
