The national shipping carrier of Saudi Arabia, Bahri, has signed a contract with International Maritime Industries (IMI) to build and deliver three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for a total value of about $451 million (1.692 billion riyals), the company said.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 320,000 deadweight tons, with the three tankers scheduled for delivery in phases during 2029 and 2030, Bahri said in a disclosure published on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) website.
The financial impact of the contract will be reflected in the company's financial statements after the vessels are received and begin commercial operations. The contract will run until delivery of the final tanker, it added.
The agreement is part of Bahri's strategy to modernize its fleet and expand its long-term operational capacity, strengthening its ability to respond to changing requirements in global energy and shipping markets.
It also supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop a globally competitive maritime sector by localizing shipbuilding capabilities and related maritime supply chains, in line with the objectives of its Vision 2030 economic transformation program.
With the signing of the agreement, the number of vessels being built in Saudi Arabia for Bahri will rise to nine, comprising six dry bulk carriers and three very large crude carriers.
Bahri said it would finance the contract through a combination of internal cash resources and bank facilities.