Eastern Pacific Shipping has signed a deal with China’s Hengli Heavy Industry for up to four suezmax tankers.

The Singapore-based owner, controlled by Idan Ofer, has committed to two firm 158,000 dwt crude carriers, with options for two more. The price tag for all four ships is estimated to be nearly $360m. The two confirmed vessels are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2028.

The newbuildings will be equipped with dual-fuel propulsion, capable of running on LNG, aligning with Eastern Pacific’s broader push toward lower-emission tonnage across its fleet.

Hengli said the suezmaxes are part of a broader 10-ship order intake that includes multiple vessel types such as bulkers, tankers, and containerships.

The new order signals a return to the suezmax market for Eastern Pacific, which had not placed any orders in the segment since early 2024.