South Korea’s mid-sized shipbuilder DH Shipbuilding secured orders for four Suezmax tankers within two days, achieving 30% of its annual order target.
On January 15, DH Shipbuilding announced on the 14th that it had signed a contract with a Liberian shipowner for the construction of two 157,000 DWT Suezmax tankers. The vessels are scheduled for delivery to the owner starting in February 2029.
Including the two vessels of the same type signed with Nordic American Tankers on January 13, DH Shipbuilding has signed contracts for four 157,000 DWT Suezmax tankers in two days. The Liberian shipowner’s cost has not yet been disclosed, but based on Nordic American Tankers’ price, the total value of the four new vessels exceeds US$340 million, achieving 30% of its annual order target.
Nordic American Tanker’s newbuilds feature DH Shipbuilding’s latest hull design, delivering approximately 3% greater fuel efficiency and enhanced seakeeping performance compared to existing vessels. These vessels will be constructed to meet environmental specifications, complying with both the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III emissions standards for atmospheric pollutants and the third-phase requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
At the start of 2026, a total of five Suezmax tankers were ordered globally, with four being constructed by DH Shipbuilding and one by Chinese shipbuilder Beihai Shipbuilding. DH Shipbuilding stated: “Leveraging our continuously strengthened brand competitiveness in the Suezmax tanker sector, we will maintain stable performance this year.”
According to records, DH Shipbuilding officially listed on the Korea Exchange in 2025. The company primarily constructs medium-sized vessels such as Capesize bulk carriers, Newcastlemax bulk carriers, Aframax tankers, and product tankers.