A record-breaking 26 vessels will now be operated by the Furetank-developed series, after four shipping companies from Sweden, Norway and Canada joined forces to order four new VINGA-class intermediate product tankers.

A four-nation coalition of shipowners from Sweden, Norway and Canada has placed a joint order for four new VINGA-class product tankers, demonstrating deep confidence in the future of the European intermediate tanker market. The latest agreement, announced on 28 August 2026 during the naming ceremony for the newly delivered FURE VASA in Europe, expands the highly successful VINGA series, developed by Furetank, to a remarkable 26 vessels.

 A joint venture between Canada and Swedish pioneer Furetank

The four recently contracted 17,999-DWT vessels are divided among seasoned maritime partners who are committed to sustainable fleet renewal. A joint venture between Canada's Algoma Central Corporation and Swedish pioneer Furetank will transfer ownership of two vessels to the newly formed company, FureBear. O.H. Meling, however, marked its first entry into the VINGA programme by ordering a new vessel to replace an ageing one.

The project's strong economics

Leadership from the participating companies emphasised the project's strong economics and environmental compliance during the rollout, which coincided with the arrival of the FURE VASA from Asia.

"It is an extraordinary journey to be part of. The vessel series is 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 worldwide. As policy direction and customer needs continue to prioritise environmental performance in transport, we believe that the Vinga design is well placed for the future.”

Related: FREIRE SHIPYARD Signs a Contract with the Sweden to Build Four Naval Support Ships

The future-proof nature of the VINGA vessels

For Älvtank, repeat investment is based on operational familiarity and market flexibility. Christian Nilsson, the company's CEO, noted, “The agreement we are signing today demonstrates the future-proof nature of the VINGA vessels 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.

Modernisation of the fleet for Norwegian participant O.H. Meling

The timing of this is in line with the essential modernisation of the fleet for Norwegian participant O.H. Meling. Olav H. Meling, the company's CEO, explained, "We are renewing our fleet as our two current intermediate tankers will soon pass the 20-year age limit for trading in the European tanker market. The VINGA vessels have been very popular for many years. They are strong, work well, and people always want them. We have strong faith in good vessels, good management, and solid collaboration between our companies. The conditions for this investment could not be better.”

Related: Freire Shipyard lays the keel of the Tauriko for Norwegian shipowner Napier

Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, China,

The construction of the quartet is scheduled to take place at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, China, with deliveries planned for 2028 and 2029. Upon delivery, all four ships will join the Gothia Tanker Alliance and be placed under the commercial management of Furetank Chartering.

About Furetank Rederi AB

Furetank Rederi AB is a Swedish, family-owned shipping company based on the island of Donsö in the Gothenburg archipelago. It has a rich heritage in tanker operations stretching back to the early 1950s. Guided by the ethos “We are not a giant, but a leader”, the company has built a reputation as an industry pioneer by consistently adopting state-of-the-art green technologies to protect the environment and climate.

Furetank is a founding member of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, a leading market platform for small and intermediate product tankers with a current fleet of 40 vessels operating in European waters. Through continuous innovation, as demonstrated by its market-leading dual-fuel, battery-hybrid Vinga vessel series, Furetank remains at the forefront of sustainable, energy-efficient shipping.

Source: Punker Market + Others
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