Korean yard Daehan Shipbuilding has signed contracts to build two 158,000dwt crude oil carriers, which will be prepared for dual-fuel LNG operation and equipped with exhaust gas scrubbers, for Greek company Advantage Tankers.
The latest order is seen as something of a triumph for Kim Kwang-ho, chairman of KHI Investment, which acquired Daehan Shipbuilding in September 2022. A strong push for overseas orders has resulted in expectations that this year’s order target of US$ 900m will be exceeded. Currently, about 40% of the 2023 target of has been filled, while as vessel prices have risen, there is a possibility of overachievement.
Daehan has now won orders for four ships worth a total of US$ 316m this year, and has production capacity to build 12 ships a year. Last year it won orders for 10 ships worth US$ 780m, including oil tankers and container ships. The yard is proving able to compete with Chinese mid-sized shipyards for orders such as Suezmax and Aframax tankers.
