Zodiac Maritime has launched a fleet-renewal programme worth about US$1.6 billion, placing orders for VLCCs and containerships at Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China, reports Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The London-based shipowner controlled by Eyal Ofer booked six VLCCs at the Yangzhong yard, with options to expand to eight vessels. It is also shaping an order of up to six 9,000-TEU containerships, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029.

These are Zodiac's first VLCC orders in more than a decade and its first contracts with Jiangsu Hantong. Trade outlets described the deal as one of the yard's most significant packages and a major expansion of Zodiac's VLCC fleet.

Jiangsu Hantong said in November it received 19 orders across four vessel types for 2028-2029 delivery. Media later linked Zodiac to the VLCC tankers and containership contracts.

The vessels will feature modern energy-saving technologies but remain designed for conventional marine fuels, reflecting current market priorities.

The contract comes amid a surge of VLCC orders at Chinese shipyards as owners secure late-decade slots ahead of rising costs. Zodiac has already been linked to suezmax tanker orders in Vietnam and post-Panamax containerships in China this year, bringing its newbuilding tally to more than 20 vessels.

Zodiac Maritime, part of Ofer Global, is a privately owned shipping company headquartered in London. It manages a diversified fleet and provides commercial and technical services for vessels in its portfolio.