Advantage Tankers Ordered Two LR2 Product Tankers
The firm expanded its newbuilding program, targeting a 50-vessel fleet as it prepares to support long-term oil major charters.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Advantage Tankers has placed an order for two 114,000DWT LR2 product tankers with Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. This acquisition is part of a 10-ship newbuilding program aimed at reaching a 50-vessel fleet by 2030.
Why it matters
The investment reflects a long-term scaling strategy to secure capacity for oil major charters by mid-decade. For operators, it underscores the capital-intensive nature of building specialized, dual-fuel-ready fleets to meet future regulatory or performance demands.
Advantage Tankers currently operates 28 tankers and holds a 22-vessel orderbook, including ten ships in its newbuilding program. The program features two 114,000DWT LR2 tankers, two Suezmax vessels, and six MR2 product tankers, all of which are designed to be LNG dual-fuel ready.
The players
Advantage Tankers
A Turkey-based maritime transport company managing a fleet of tankers and currently executing a large-scale newbuilding program.
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
A major Chinese state-owned shipyard specializing in the construction of large-scale commercial vessels and tankers.
The details
The new LR2 tankers are built to support long-term charters for an oil major, shifting the firm's operational capacity toward larger product transport. All ships in the newbuilding program are designed with LNG dual-fuel capabilities, allowing the company to hedge against future maritime emissions regulations. The vessels are currently under construction at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in China.
Timeline
Late 2029 marks the expected delivery of the first tanker.
Early 2030 is the scheduled delivery date for the second tanker.
2030 is the target year to reach a fleet size of 50 tankers.
Market Landscape
This investment continues an industry-wide trend toward fleet modernization centered on LNG dual-fuel readiness. It follows the pattern of long-term capital commitments seen after the implementation of the 2020 IMO sulfur emission regulations.
Operators in maritime logistics should monitor the shift toward dual-fuel fleets as a benchmark for future charter requirements. The 2030 target suggests that mid-to-large scale operators must now align their procurement cycles with the long-term carbon-intensity requirements of oil majors.
The takeaway
Advantage Tankers' expansion confirms that large-scale fleet growth is now inseparable from advanced dual-fuel capability. Owners should assess whether their current fleet's fuel flexibility will meet the long-term standards required for future charters with oil majors.
Further reading
For broader trends in maritime energy transport, see our Oil and Gas section.
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