DHT Holdings Places Fresh VLCC Order at Hanwha Ocean for 2028 Delivery

## DHT Holdings Expands Fleet with New Hanwha VLCC Order New York-listed supertanker owner DHT Holdings has placed a fresh newbuilding order at South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, securing a slot for a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) scheduled for delivery in August 2028, according to Splash247. The vessel will be constructed as a sistership to the two VLCCs DHT ordered at Hanwha Ocean in 2024, both of which have already been delivered, underscoring the company's confidence in the Korean shipbuilder and its established vessel design. ### A Deepening Shipyard Relationship DHT's return to Hanwha Ocean reflects a deliberate fleet renewal and expansion strategy. By ordering sisterships, the company benefits from operational consistency across its fleet — reducing training requirements, streamlining spare parts inventories, and simplifying technical management. The decision to revisit the same yard also signals satisfaction with the quality and delivery performance of the earlier vessels. Hanwha Ocean, formerly known as DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) before its acquisition by the Hanwha Group in 2023, has been actively securing VLCC orders as part of its broader commercial recovery and growth strategy. DHT's repeat business reinforces the yard's standing as a preferred partner for major tanker operators. ### Market Context The VLCC segment has experienced significant volatility in recent years, shaped by shifting crude trade flows, geopolitical disruptions, and evolving energy demand patterns. Despite near-term freight rate uncertainty, owners such as DHT continue to invest in modern tonnage, positioning themselves for long-term competitiveness as older vessels face tightening environmental regulations under IMO frameworks including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). Newbuilding activity in the VLCC sector remains measured relative to historical peaks, with limited yard availability and elevated steel and construction costs constraining order volumes. A 2028 delivery slot reflects the current congestion in global shipbuilding capacity, particularly at leading Korean yards. DHT Holdings operates one of the world's largest dedicated VLCC fleets, and this latest order reinforces its commitment to maintaining a modern, fuel-efficient fleet capable of meeting both charterer expectations and regulatory requirements in the years ahead. *Source: Splash247*