A shuttle tanker built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Zhoushan Co. [Photo/Tide News]

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Zhoushan Co, in collaboration with Norway's Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers, recently finalized a contract in Shanghai for the construction of four 154,000 deadweight ton shuttle tankers.

This latest agreement marks Zhoushan COSCO's successful acquisition of orders supplying a total of 11 shuttle tankers to KNOT. The initial five vessels have already been delivered, providing significant operational advantages to the shipowners.

The newly contracted series of vessels will feature a cutting-edge, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly design with completely independent intellectual property rights developed by COSCO, as highlighted by a representative of Zhoushan COSCO.

According to the representative, the vessel boasts a total length of 279 meters, a beam of 48 meters, a depth of 23.8 meters, and a designed draft of 16 meters. It is equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning control system and bow loading system, enabling cargo and oil loading and unloading in various complex and harsh sea conditions.

Shuttle tankers, specialized for transporting oil from offshore oil fields to land, are known for their high maneuverability. Their added value and construction complexity far exceed those of conventional tankers of similar tonnage.