China Merchants Energy Shipping announced that its subsidiary, China VLCC, has completed the acquisition of seven VLCCs through wholly owned single ship companies.

China VLCC’s fleet capacity has now hit 18 vessels, with the company acquiring one VLCC from Aldebaran Shipping earlier this month.

China VLCC was established by CMES and Sinotrans & CSC in September this year as part of the government’s ambitions to secure the national oil supply chain and build a strong self-owned VLCC fleet.