Belgian shipping group CMB.Tech has adopted a more cautious stance on the outlook for the tanker market, according to ShippingWatch. The company, led by CEO Alexander Saverys, indicated that it has now reached the end of a two-and-a-half-year newbuilding programme, as reported by ShippingWatch on 27 August 2026.
What ShippingWatch Reports
According to ShippingWatch, CMB.Tech’s caution comes as the company describes what the outlet characterizes as a “tsunami of tankers” entering the market. The report, written by Daniela De Lorenzo, frames this wave of new tanker capacity as a factor behind the company’s more guarded view of future market conditions.
ShippingWatch’s report notes that CMB.Tech has completed its multi-year newbuilding programme, though the publicly available portion of the article does not specify further details such as the number or type of vessels involved, delivery schedules, or the precise reasoning CMB.Tech has given for its cautious position. The full report is available to ShippingWatch subscribers only, and additional specifics beyond what has been outlined here were not accessible in the source material reviewed.
Does This Matter to You?
Developments in tanker newbuilding volumes are generally relevant to parties who track global tanker supply, including owners, charterers, and freight market analysts, since incoming deliveries can influence available tonnage in the market. CMB.Tech’s own acknowledgment of a large volume of new tanker capacity, as reported by ShippingWatch, may be of interest to those monitoring how individual owners are positioning themselves amid broader fleet growth trends.
That said, the source material reviewed does not provide details on freight rate impacts, specific vessel segments affected, or the scale of the newbuilding wave beyond CMB.Tech’s own programme. As such, the broader market implications of this report are not yet clear based on the information available.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: ShippingWatch
