Turkish Shipowner Ditas Linked to US$184.6M Suezmax Tanker Order at Daehan Shipbuilding
The global tanker shipping market continues to gain momentum as Turkish shipowner Ditas Maritime Operations and Tanker Management is reportedly returning to the large tanker newbuilding sector with a fresh order for two Suezmax crude oil tankers at South Korea’s Daehan Shipbuilding.
Daehan Shipbuilding announced on 27 July that it had signed a contract worth approximately US$184.6 million to construct two 157,000-deadweight-tonne (DWT) Suezmax tankers, with deliveries scheduled by December 2029. While the shipbuilder identified the customer only as an undisclosed European shipowner, multiple shipbroking and industry sources have linked the order to Turkish tanker operator Ditas. The company has not publicly commented on the reports.
The latest deal comes as Suezmax tanker orders surge worldwide. According to Xclusiv Shipbrokers, shipowners ordered 76 Suezmax vessels during the first half of 2026, more than doubling the 33 vessels contracted during the same period in 2025. The sharp increase reflects growing confidence in the crude oil tanker market as fleet renewal and long-term transport demand continue to support investment in modern vessels.
Industry data from Clarksons shows that Ditas currently operates a fleet of 24 ships, including two Suezmax tankers delivered in 2017. The Turkish owner is also expanding into other tanker segments, with two 12,000-DWT chemical tankers currently under construction at a domestic shipyard.
Beyond newbuilding activity, Ditas has remained active in the second-hand tanker market. The company was recently identified as the buyer of the 114,800-DWT Aframax tanker T Riva, which is being built at a subsidiary of CSSC and is scheduled for delivery later this year. Shipbrokers reported the resale transaction was agreed at approximately US$90 million.
In another fleet expansion move, Ditas acquired the 2020-built MR2 tanker T Kilyos, formerly known as Eden, during the previous year for a reported price exceeding US$40 million, further strengthening its position in the international tanker shipping market.
For Daehan Shipbuilding, the reported Suezmax contract represents another milestone in what has already become a record-breaking year. The South Korean shipbuilder had already achieved its annual order target during the first quarter of 2026. Including the latest contract, the company has secured approximately US$1.53 billion in shipbuilding orders this year, the highest annual order value since the yard was established.
The latest agreement also increases Daehan Shipbuilding’s total 2026 orders to 17 vessels, while its order backlog has expanded to 36 ships, reinforcing its growing position in the global tanker shipbuilding industry as demand for crude oil carriers continues to strengthen.
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