Greek owner Panos Laskaridis is taking a step up into suezmax crude tankers, with his shipping interests tied to a pair of newbuildings at a South Korean yard. Shipbuilding sources in Greece say the diversified owner has signed up for two 157,000 dwt suezmax newbuildings at DH Shipbuilding, in what would mark a step up from the company’s existing tanker exposure. The ships are understood to be scrubber-fitted and slated for delivery in 2028 and 2029. The pair forms part of a four-ship suezmax package recently announced by the Korean yard, with a total contract value of about $340m. That pricing points to a tag of roughly $85m per vessel. DH Shipbuilding, formerly known as Daehan, confirmed in a statement that it had secured four of the five suezmax crude tanker orders placed globally in January. The yard said two units were contracted by a Bermuda-based owner — identified as Nordic American Tankers — while brokers tied the remaining two vessels, ordered through a Liberia-based entity, to Laskaridis interests. If confirmed, the deal would mark a notable expansion of Laskaridis Shipping’s tanker activities. Equasis data currently shows the group operating smaller product tankers, alongside a limited MR2 newbuilding resales in China, two of which have already been delivered. Beyond tankers, the Laskaridis group is best known for its dry bulk operations. Last year it took delivery of an 82,500 dwt kamsarmax bulker, part of an eight-ship orderbook spread across several Chinese shipyards. Market sources indicate the move into suezmax crude carriers would add a new layer to the owner’s portfolio as it broadens its exposure across shipping cycles. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsGreece South Korea