Trøim’s Ambitious VLCC Project Draws Heavyweights Lauro and Livanos into Modern Tanker Fleet

Building a Next-Gen VLCC Fleet with Shipping Industry Titans

Tor Olav Trøim is making waves as he returns to the tanker sector by launching a fresh VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) platform designed to be publicly listed. He’s gathering heavy hitters in the shipping world to back this venture, aiming to revitalize and modernize the tanker fleet with a clean-slate approach.

The Oslo-listed company Bruton is orchestrating an intriguing merger of two dual-fuel VLCCs, constructed at New Times Shipyard, with two supertankers ordered by an allied firm, Andes Tankers. This plan creates a dedicated VLCC operation with a lean, sharp focus on this ship type, modern and equipped with eco-friendly tech, with deliveries slated through 2027. Backing this initiative are notable names like Trøim’s own Drew Holdings, Scorpio under Emanuele Lauro, and Greek magnate Peter Livanos’ Blenheim Special Investment.

The Fleet & Ownership Structure

Strategic Vision: High Standards for Returns and Sustainability

Bruton is setting its sights on following a progressive payout approach inspired by Trøim’s previous ventures, 2020 Bulkers e Himalaya Shipping, that focus on financial prudence. The goal is to maintain low leverage, ensuring that the company can flexibly break even monthly while paying regular dividends, a model that suits investors looking for steady income rather than rollercoaster profits.

The company is also eyeing a capital raise up to $100 million to fuel this initiative, potentially listing on a major global stock exchange alongside its current Euronext Growth Oslo listing. Andes Tankers, led by Lars-Christian Svensen—the same leader behind 2020 Bulkers and Himalaya Shipping—guarantees operational synergy in this fleet expansion.

Top Management Ties and Expertise

• Trøim holds nearly half of Bruton’s shares, emphasizing his personal commitment.
• Several former executives from Frontline, a prominent tanker firm, have stakes, showing industry experience is deeply embedded.
• CEO Gunnar Eliassen, with roots in John Fredriksen’s Seatankers empire, helms the operation.
• The board includes esteemed figures like Bjørn Isaksen from Himalaya Shipping and executives from Borr Drilling.

Why VLCCs and Dual-Fuel Technology?

One key to the project’s promise lies in fleet demographics. The VLCC orderbook—a list of newbuild contracts—is historically low at just 13%, while a significant chunk of the existing fleet is aging rapidly. By 2030, over a third of the current VLCC vessels will be 20 years or older, a classic recipe for fleet renewal and modern replacements driving earnings.

Bruton’s units are fresh, with two dual-fuel LNG (liquefied natural gas) propulsion ships expected in July 2026 and January 2027, offering a greener and more fuel-efficient profile. Talks are progressing to outfit Andes Tankers’ ships with the same dual-fuel technology, emphasizing a shift towards cleaner shipping, which echoes the industry’s increasing focus on sustainability and efficient logistics. This modern fleet could well set new standards in the VLCC segment.

Potential for Fleet Growth

Beyond the initial four ships, Bruton has flagged intentions to keep growing its fleet, seen as a strong contender to become a leading dividend-paying VLCC company. This expansion mindset reflects the shipping sector’s adaptability and forward-looking approach towards global crude transport demands.

The Bigger Picture: Trøim’s Comeback

After a hiatus of around 15 years, Tor Olav Trøim’s comeback at the Marine Money conference in New York in 2023 marked a bold re-entry into tanker shipping, highlighted by a nearly $270 million deal for two new VLCC builds. His overall exposure to this venture, including the stakes at Andes Tankers, demonstrates his serious intent. This bold move signals renewed confidence in the VLCC market’s future and an understanding of the logistics layers that make large crude oil shipments tick.

Summary Table: Key Project Milestones

Why This Matters to Logistics and Forwarding

The VLCC sector, known for shipping massive cargos of crude oil globally, directly impacts logistics chains and energy supply routes. New fuel-efficient ships ease environmental footprints and reduce operational costs, benefiting the overall shipping logistics with more reliable and sustainable freight movement.

For businesses involved in global freight and cargo, including large-scale haulage of bulky shipments like vehicles or industrial machinery, having a more modern oil transport industry means fewer bottlenecks in energy supply and more dependable schedules for the broader supply chain. Companies like GetTransport.com can complement these efficiencies by offering flexible, affordable cargo transportation services worldwide, whether moving office equipment, bulky furniture, or vehicles—key sectors that depend on robust logistics networks.

The Value of Trusted Partnerships and Reliable Fleets

Getting your cargo from point A to B is often a game of trust, timing, and cost. Trøim’s new venture reintroduces a modern standard for tanker shipping, which could indirectly contribute to smoother logistics for energy-dependent cargo forwarders. Knowing there’s reliability in the energy transport backbone lets logistics managers plan better and avoid expensive disruptions.

Making Informed Choices with Transparent Services

Of course, even glowing reviews and solid business plans don’t beat personal experience, especially when coordinating complex shipments with tight schedules. On platforms like GetTransport.com, customers can explore a vast marketplace of freight, haulage, and courier services to find the best fit at the best price globally. This transparency and accessibility give shippers confidence, whether they’re relocating an entire office, dispatching large pallets, or moving parcels internationally.

Access to such options means fewer surprises and greater control over one’s logistics, all while optimizing budgets and avoiding unnecessary delays or expenses. It’s a practical solution harnessing market competition and modern technology, much like what’s happening with Trøim’s strategic fleet renewal in the tanker industry. Reserve a sua viagem sobre GetTransport.com and experience firsthand how logistics can be smarter and smoother.

Conclusion: Trøim’s VLCC Venture as a Catalyst for Modern Shipping Logistics

In sum, this new VLCC initiative backed by notable shipping leaders represents a significant stride toward modernizing tanker fleets with cutting-edge, environmentally mindful technology and robust financial models. The carefully staged equity raise and the plan for a dual public listing highlight growing investor confidence in a sector long overdue for renewal.

This development ties into the broader logistics ecosystem by stabilizing and green-lighting the backbone of global crude oil shipment, critical for energy supply in countless industries. For logistics professionals and cargo movers, this means more predictable support from upstream shipping channels, translating into more reliable and cost-effective freight and distribution services.

Whether you’re moving bulky freight, relocating office assets, or shipping vehicles, platforms like GetTransport.com exemplify the same forward-thinking approach — combining transparency, affordability, and extensive choices to meet logistics needs worldwide. Just like the new generation of dual-fuel VLCCs, this is about making freight and transport smarter, cleaner, and ultimately more reliable.