Greek owner JHI Steamship has stepped further into the crude tanker arena, lining up a VLCC newbuilding in South Korea as part of a wider fleet build-out. The Athens-based company has disclosed an order for a 320,000 dwt vessel at Hanwha Ocean, with delivery slated for 2029. The move adds JHI to a growing list of Greek owners piling into the VLCC segment, taking advantage of tightening fleet supply and longer-term demand visibility in crude trades. JHI has been steadily building its orderbook since its formation, with additional contracts in place at South Korean yards. The company has three aframax/LR2 tankers on order at K Shipbuilding for delivery through 2028, alongside two suezmax newbuildings booked at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries due by 2029. The fleet expansion comes as the Inglessis family reshapes its shipping interests following the split of the long-established Samos Steamship business. JHI Steamship is now controlled by John Inglessis, while cousin Anthony heads Carlova Maritime, which is also active in newbuildings and has VLCC tonnage lined up at Hanwha. The shift has also marked a change in yard selection, with both companies turning to South Korea for recent orders rather than their traditional Japanese partners. JHI currently controls a fleet of 13 vessels across wet and dry segments, including one VLCC under management. The company’s latest VLCC move also reflects a broader surge in Greek appetite for large crude carriers, with more than 20 orders linked to Greek interests in the first quarter of 2026 alone. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsGreece