Four shipping companies from Sweden, Norway, and Canada have joined forces to co-order four new VINGA-class intermediate product tankers, expanding the celebrated Furetank-developed series to a record 26 vessels. Announced during the naming ceremony of the FURE VASA, the 17,999-DWT dual-fuel vessels will be built in China for delivery between 2028 and 2029, and registered under the Swedish flag. Prominent executives emphasized that the investment leverages unmatched energy efficiency, battery-hybrid propulsion, and high adaptability to handle evolving European liquid bulk trades like biofuels and chemicals.
Gothenburg | August 28, 2026 – Demonstrating deep confidence in the future of the European intermediate tanker market, a four-nation coalition of shipowners from Sweden, Norway, and Canada has placed a joint order for four new VINGA-class product tankers. Announced on August 28, 2026, during the festive naming ceremony of the newly delivered FURE VASA in Europe, the latest agreement expands the highly successful, Furetank-developed VINGA series to a remarkable 26 vessels.
The milestone expansion underscores a long-term industry bet that high-specification, energy-efficient intermediate tonnage will remain heavily sought after as European liquid bulk trades shift steadily toward sustainable fuels and evolving environmental mandates.
A Multi-Party Strategic Investment
The four newly contracted 17,999-DWT vessels are split among experienced maritime partners committed to sustainable fleet renewal:
- FureBear: The joint venture between Canada’s Algoma Central Corporation and Swedish pioneer Furetank will take ownership of two vessels.
- Älvtank: The Swedish shipping company, which was part of the original VINGA order delivered in 2018 and already operates three vessels of the type, is expanding its fleet with a fourth unit.
- O.H. Meling: The Norwegian shipping house marks its inaugural entry into the VINGA programme by ordering one vessel to strategically replace aging tonnage.
Industry Leadership and Statements
Speaking at the rollout in conjunction with the FURE VASA arrival from Asia, leadership from the participating companies emphasized the robust economics and environmental compliance driving the project.
“It is an extraordinary journey to be part of, with a vessel series longer than anyone could have imagined,” said Lars Höglund, CEO of Furetank. “More than a decade after the first order, they remain the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vessels in their class internationally. As policy direction and customer needs continue to place greater value on environmental performance in transport, we believe the VINGA design remains well positioned for the future.”
For Älvtank, the repeat investment is rooted in operational familiarity and market flexibility. Christian Nilsson, CEO of Älvtank, noted “The agreement we are signing today shows how future-proof the VINGA vessels have been from the outset. Our three sister vessels have performed exceptionally well, and being part of a long-running series of identical vessels brings many advantages. The ships have set a standard in the market and are well-known to many parties, from the pilots who guide them into port and the charterers who place their cargoes, to the customers who know we can always source a replacement vessel if needed.”
Nilsson also addressed the changing cargo profile in European waters, highlighting that intermediate tankers are well-positioned for transition trends. “The need for vessels of this size will remain for many years to come, even as volumes of petrol and diesel decline. We are already seeing an increasing share of other liquid cargoes such as lighter chemicals and biofuels. With twelve cargo tanks, we can load and discharge several smaller cargoes at different terminals with the same vessel. I believe demand for significantly larger vessels will decrease in Europe going forward.”
For Norwegian participant O.H. Meling, the timing aligns with essential fleet modernization. Olav H. Meling, CEO of O.H. Meling, explained “We are renewing our fleet, as our two current intermediate tankers soon will pass the 20-year age limit for trading in the European tanker market. The VINGA vessels have proven themselves in the market over many years, technically robust, efficient and consistently in demand. We have strong faith in good vessels, good management and a solid collaboration between our companies. The conditions for this investment could not be better.”
Construction, Flagging, and Commercial Operations
- Shipyard: The quartet will be built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, China, with scheduled deliveries spanning 2028 and 2029.
- Commercial Integration: Upon delivery, all four ships will enter the Gothia Tanker Alliance and will be placed under the commercial management of Furetank Chartering.
- National Flag: Every vessel in the quartet will be registered under the Swedish flag. This addition solidifies the VINGA series’ dominant footprint, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the entire Swedish merchant fleet, which currently hovers just above 105 vessels.
The VINGA Technical Edge
The VINGA design has continuously raised the benchmark for sustainable short-sea shipping:
- Class & Dimensions: Ice class 1A, 17,999 DWT product tankers featuring 12 dedicated cargo tanks.
- Propulsion & Environmental Profile: Fully equipped with dual-fuel capability, capable of operating on liquid biomethane (LBM), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or standard gasoil.
- Energy Systems: Integrated with a cutting-edge battery-hybrid solution and complete shore-power connectivity to minimize port emissions.
- Global Standing: Featuring specialized hull forms and energy-saving innovations, the series has achieved top-tier Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) scores globally, recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the most energy-efficient fleet in its segment.
About Furetank Rederi AB
Based on the island of Donsö in the Gothenburg archipelago, Furetank Rederi AB is a Swedish, family-owned shipping company with a rich heritage in tanker operations stretching back to the early 1950s. Operating with the guiding ethos, “We are not a giant but a leader,” the company has carved out a reputation as an industry pioneer by continuously integrating cutting-edge green technologies to protect the environment and climate.
Furetank is a foundational architect and member of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, a premier market platform for small and intermediate product tankers that currently commands a fleet of 40 vessels operating across European waters. Through continuous innovation, exemplified by the market-leading, dual-fuel, battery-hybrid VINGA vessel series, Furetank remains at the absolute forefront of sustainable, energy-efficient maritime transport.
Source: Furetank Rederi AB