Ditaş Linked to $196M Suezmax Pair Order at South Korea's DH Shipbuilding

## Ditaş Eyes Suezmax Comeback with South Korean Newbuilding Order Turkish tanker operator Ditaş has been linked to an order for two suezmax tankers placed at South Korea's DH Shipbuilding, according to Splash247, in what would represent the company's first foray into the segment in approximately ten years. DH Shipbuilding disclosed the contract on Monday, valuing it at KRW 271.3 billion (approximately $196 million), but identified the buyer only as a 'new European owner.' Shipbroking and market sources subsequently pointed to Ditaş as the likely customer behind the order. The reported deal underscores continued appetite among established tanker owners for suezmax tonnage, a segment that has attracted significant newbuilding interest in recent years as owners seek to capitalise on sustained crude oil trade flows and an ageing global fleet. Suezmaxes — typically capable of carrying around one million barrels of crude — are a versatile asset class able to transit the Suez Canal fully laden, making them a popular choice for owners serving Atlantic Basin and Middle East trade routes. For Ditaş, a company with deep roots in Turkish maritime and energy logistics, the reported order signals a strategic repositioning into larger crude-carrying tonnage after a prolonged absence from the suezmax market. The company has historically maintained a presence across multiple tanker segments. DH Shipbuilding, a South Korean yard, has been actively securing tanker contracts as global demand for newbuilding capacity remains firm. The KRW 271.3 billion contract value reflects prevailing elevated newbuilding prices, which have remained at historically high levels amid strong yard orderbooks and rising construction costs. Neither Ditaş nor DH Shipbuilding had publicly confirmed the identity of the ordering party at the time of reporting. Splash247 attributed the link to Ditaş to shipbroking and market intelligence sources. Delivery timelines and vessel specifications were not disclosed in the initial contract announcement.