Greek shipowner Harry Vafias is leading a fresh charge into the crude tanker sector with orders for up to six newbuildings at HD Hyundai, joining a growing list of compatriots expanding and renewing their tanker fleets. Shipbroking sources said the Vafias-backed Stealth Maritime has contracted two suezmaxes at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at about $86m each, along with two firm and two optional aframax newbuildings at HD Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding priced around $73m apiece. Deliveries of the 157,000 dwt and 115,000 dwt newbuilds are scheduled for 2028 and 2029. The move marks a shift for the Vafias Group, which in recent years has focused on the mid-sized gas carrier market as well as secondhand deals in the bulker and product tanker segments. The family has a long-running relationship with the South Korean shipbuilder, having previously ordered suezmaxes and most recently a series of product tankers at HD Hyundai Mipo for delivery in 2027. Vafias’ return to crude carrier tonnage comes amid renewed Greek interest in tanker newbuildings. JHI Steamship has inked its first-ever newbuilding deal in South Korea for two firm plus one optional 115,000 dwt aframaxes at K Shipbuilding. Thenamaris has re-entered the suezmax market with two ships booked at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding—its first crude newbuild move in over a decade. Earlier this year, Evalend Shipping added two suezmaxes to its existing orderbook at HD Hyundai Samho, while Adam Polemis’ New Shipping has lined up as many as four suezmaxes in China and is also linked to two additional newbuilds at Samsung Heavy Industries. Meanwhile, Performance Shipping has been active in the secondhand market, buying two 2019-built suezmaxes for $75.4m each—vessels recently fixed on long-term charter to Repsol in a $78m deal. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsGreece South Korea Vietnam