Karamehmet's Advantage Tankers orders two VLCCs from China, marking a strategic shift from South Korea. Deliveries are set for 2028 and 2029.
Karamehmet’s Advantage Tankers Orders Two New VLCCs from China
Geneva-based Advantage Tankers has placed an order for two new VLCCs with a Chinese shipyard. This move further expands the company’s newbuilding tanker portfolio.
Advantage Tankers, owned by Turkish businessman Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, has shifted its ordering strategy away from a South Korea-centric approach towards China. The ordered vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.
As part of its plan to expand its large tanker fleet, Geneva-based Advantage Tankers has ordered two 307,000 dwt crude oil tankers from the Chinese Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co.
The dual-fuel vessels will be named Advantage Venture and Advantage Voyager, with deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2028 and the third quarter of 2029, respectively.
Given that the company's orders have predominantly been placed with South Korean shipyards until now, the recent agreement is seen as a significant shift in its supply strategy.
Advantage Tankers also has another VLCC order named Advantage Visual currently under construction in China. The vessel, being built at Jiangsu Hantong Shipyard, is expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2026.
Founded in 2014 and controlled by Nazlı Karamehmet Williams, the company has a fleet of approximately 30 tankers. The company’s current order book includes a total of 11 vessels in the VLCC and Suezmax segments.
Although Advantage Tankers is a separate legal entity from Mehmet Emin Karamehmet's previous maritime venture, Geden Lines, it can be considered a continuation in terms of family heritage and operational experience.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
