Sources told Reuters that the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia has leased about 31 giant carriers, up from 19 tankers it was seeking earlier this week, in An indication that the kingdom wants to dump global markets with crude oil.


Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, said on Wednesday that it would launch a program to boost production capacity for the first time in more than ten years, in a message to Russia and other competitors with its willingness to fight a long battle over production levels and market shares.


The shipping sources said that the number of giant carriers that Bahri seeks to rent has increased to 31 from 19 on Wednesday. Each of these ships can carry up to two million barrels of oil.


Shipping data showed that the company has completely entered into the lease contracts for twelve of these tankers, which is enough to accommodate 24 million barrels of crude. Five of them are destined for the United States.


According to the data, the company is seeking to contract at least four other ships to send to the United States as well.