Pantheon Tankers returns to MR newbuilds with China order
Anna Angelicoussis-led Pantheon Tankers has reentered the MR newbuilding market with a recent order placed in China, marking the end of a prolonged absence from this segment.
New MR Construction Deal at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard
The Athens-based tanker major, Pantheon Tankers, has been associated with a new MR construction deal at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard for the construction of two 50,000 dwt newbuilds. While details regarding the price and delivery dates are yet to be independently verified, this move signifies Pantheon’s return to purpose-built MR programs since the delivery of a six-ship series by South Korea’s STX Offshore & Shipbuilding in 2019.
Expanding Newbuilding Drive and Chinese Yards Focus
Pantheon Tankers currently manages 14 MR tankers, including the previously mentioned six STX-built ships and eight smaller MR units ranging between 40,000 and 46,000 dwt, constructed at Hyundai Mipo in 2016 and 2017. The recent MR order adds another segment to Pantheon’s significant newbuilding drive, increasingly centered on Chinese yards. The company has completed a LR2/aframax program at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in Yangzhou, along with bookings for two LNG dual-fuel suezmaxes and two VLCCs at COSCO-affiliated yards. Additionally, Pantheon has been linked to four 306,000 dwt VLCCs at Hengli Heavy Industry for delivery in 2028 and 2029.
By securing a new MR construction deal and expanding its newbuilding ventures, Pantheon Tankers continues to establish its presence in the shipping industry, showcasing a strategic focus on growth and innovation in vessel construction and management.
