According to follow-up reports from Shipping Watch, South Korea’s DH Shipbuilding has disclosed that it has secured orders for two additional Suezmax tankers, bringing its total new orders for this year to a record 17 vessels.

In fact, DH Shipbuilding did not name the specific owner, only confirming that the client is a new European shipowner. Subsequently, shipbrokers identified Turkey’s Tüpraş shipping subsidiary Ditaş as the buyer behind the order. To date, Ditaş has not publicly confirmed the transaction.

Istanbul-based Ditaş currently operates 17 tankers, including two 2017-built Suezmax vessels of 157,453 dwt, named T Sadberk and T Semahat.

The two new 157,000 dwt units are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2029, at a price of approximately $98 million each. Upon delivery, they will expand Ditaş’s Suezmax fleet to four vessels.

In short, DH Shipbuilding, which specialises in Suezmax tankers, is leveraging its established expertise and reputation to expand its customer base and grow its market share.