Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry (Zhoushan) in East China's Zhejiang province has signed a new order with Norway-based Knot for a 154,000 deadweight metric ton shuttle tanker, bringing Knot's total orders to 14 vessels.

The tanker, measuring 279 meters in length and 48 meters in width, is independently designed and equipped with an advanced dynamic positioning system (DP2) and bow loading systems. Shuttle tankers, used to transport oil between offshore platforms and onshore terminals, require high technical standards; this new model is among the most advanced globally, reflecting progress in design and energy efficiency.

The partnership dates back to 2012, when Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry (Zhoushan) entered the high-end shuttle tanker market despite limited experience. Facing technical barriers and global competition, the company spent about 100 days developing key systems and revised more than 1,000 design drawings before securing its first contract. That project marked a breakthrough in a sector previously dominated by European and Korean shipbuilders.

Ongoing cooperation has been driven by continuous innovation and customer-focused design. Engineers improved vessel performance in response to client feedback, including noise-reduction measures and energy-saving systems such as onboard battery storage.

Of the 14 vessels ordered, seven have been delivered. This latest contract highlights international recognition of the company's design capabilities. Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry (Zhoushan) currently holds orders for 36 ships, with deliveries scheduled through 2028, reinforcing Zhoushan's position in the global high-end shipbuilding market.