SEYPEC marks historic milestone

SEYPEC marks historic milestone

First new tanker launched in China

On Monday, the hull of SEYPEC’s first newly constructed vessel glided into the waters of Xiamen, signalling the dawn of a new era for Seychelles’ national tanker fleet.

In the storied tradition of the sea, the moment a ship first meets the water is unlike any other. It is a birth watched by those who built her and those who will one day sail her. On Monday, that moment belonged to the Seychelles Petroleum Company. At the Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. shipyard on China’s southeastern coast, the hull of SEYPEC’s first of the two new tankers on order was successfully launched, gliding from its construction berth into the water in a ceremony that resonated well beyond the shipyard gates.

Monday’s ceremony was conducted with the pride and formality that such occasions demand. SEYPEC’s Head of Shipping, Allain Asba, who travelled to Xiamen to represent the Company at this historic event, was given the honour of initiating the launch by pressing the ceremonial button — the signal that sent the hull sliding towards the water for the first time.

For those unfamiliar with maritime practice, it is worth noting what a ship-launch entails: launching is not the moment a vessel enters service. It is, rather, the pivotal point at which a completed ship hull transitions from the shipyard’s dry berth or slipway into the water for the very first time. The ship is structurally born, but far from finished.

For SEYPEC CEO, Adrian Mondon, this launching stirs some emotional memories. ‘This launch takes me back, on a personal level, to the launching of Seychelles Pride, a ceremony I had the privilege of witnessing as a young cadet. To now stand here as CEO, overseeing the birth of a vessel that will carry this company into its next chapter, is a feeling I cannot easily put into words.’

In the weeks and months that follow, the vessel will undergo fitting out — the installation of engines, navigational systems, crew quarters, and all the technical infrastructure that transforms a steel hull into a working ship. After that comes sea trials, during which the vessel’s performance and safety are rigorously tested before she is handed over to her owners. For SEYPEC’s new tanker, delivery is expected later this year.

‘This launch opens a new era for Seychelles shipping,’ Adrian Mondon says. ‘It raises our visibility in the international market and signals that SEYPEC is a company investing confidently in its future. These vessels incorporate the latest maritime technology available today. That means greater operational efficiency and a significantly reduced environmental footprint — the right investment for a company and a country that understands what is at stake for our oceans and our future. The launch is the latest and most visible chapter in a carefully considered fleet renewal strategy and the investment forms part of SEYPEC’s long-term strategy to maintain a modern, reliable and resilient fleet, capable of meeting the evolving needs of the country’s energy logistics.’

At the same shipyard yesterday, 15th April 2026, the keel was laid for the second tanker on order and which marked the official beginning of construction of the vessel. The Head of Shipping, Allain Asba, had the honour of carrying out this long-standing maritime tradition by placing a one Seychelles Rupee coin beneath the keel, symbolising good fortune and prosperity for the vessel throughout her life at sea.

The new tankers represent a generational leap in technology. As dual-fuel vessels, they are designed to operate on both conventional marine fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), a capability that dramatically reduces emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases. This positions SEYPEC well ahead of increasingly stringent international maritime environmental regulations and aligns the company with the global shipping industry’s transition towards cleaner operations.

The arrival of two new tankers is not only a technical and commercial development — it is also a human one. SEYPEC has long championed a policy of training and promoting Seychellois nationals within its fleet, a commitment that has already produced several landmark achievements. ‘Every new ship we bring into service is also an opportunity. It means more berths, more training, more careers for Seychellois men and women who want to make their living at sea. We are actively looking for the next generation of seafarers to join us for this exciting new chapter.’ CEO Adrian Mondon adds.

With delivery of the first vessel on course later this year and the second expected before year’s end, SEYPEC is entering what may well be the most transformative period in its shipping history.