The order for the new tankers is aimed at expanding AET’s fleet capacity and extending the geographical coverage of its operations. Long-term employment for the vessels has already been secured.
Zurina Raja Abu Bakar, AET’s legal counsel responsible for orchestrating the deal, said: “Newbuildcon provides a solid contractual platform that facilitates the placement of newbuilding contracts for both shipowners and yards. It represents an excellent standard form suitable for global use.
AET is a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian-based MISC and operates 12 VLCCs, 49 aframax, one Panamax and 12 product tankers. It also has a fleet of lightering support vessels in the US Gulf.