On August 26, K Shipbuilding, a mid-sized South Korean shipbuilder, announced that it had signed contracts with European and Middle Eastern shipowners to build six product tankers across two vessel types, with a total value of approximately KRW 510 billion (about USD 368 million).
Specifically, the order comprises two 50,000 DWT MR product tankers and four 74,000 DWT LR1-type product tankers (ordered as two firm vessels plus two options). These new vessels are scheduled for sequential delivery to the owners starting in the first half of 2028.
K Shipbuilding stated that the new vessels will be equipped with energy-saving devices that comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) carbon emission regulations and will feature a design “ready” for eco-friendly fuels such as LNG or methanol, allowing for future retrofitting based on market demand.
Commenting on the order, a K Shipbuilding representative remarked: “This order reflects the shipowner’s high level of trust in K Shipbuilding’s extensive construction experience and superior quality in the mid-sized product tanker segment.”