Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT) has firmed up a contract with Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry (Zhoushan) for an additional suezmax shuttle tanker newbuilding.

The Haugesund-based joint venture set up in 2010 by Trygve Seglem’s Knutsen and Japanese line Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has exercised its option for a 154，000 dwt unit， following a deal for up to four ships early last year.

The latest order takes KNOT’s overall newbuilds at COSCO Zhoushan to 12. The Chinese shipyard has already delivered six ships and shipbuilding databases now show six more are set to be handed over in 2026 and 2027， including the most recent optional newbuild， broker estimate at around $130m.