Eastern Pacific locks in 12 newbuilds at Hengli

China’s Hengli Shipbuilding has confirmed a major newbuilding programme for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), detailing a 12-ship order that marks one of the most substantial commitments at the yard this year. The deal, valued between $1.1bn and $1.6bn, spans three vessel types and signals the Idan Ofer-led owner’s return to the VLCC segment after a …