Metrostar books MR tanker duo in South Korea

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Greek owner Metrostar Management has returned to the MR tanker newbuilding market with a deal for two ships in South Korea. The Theodore Angelopoulos-led company has booked a pair of 50,000 dwt product tankers at HD Hyundai Mipo for delivery in 2028. Market sources put the price at close to $53m per vessel. Metrostar’s own fleet list shows the two newbuildings as hull numbers HN 2973 and HN 2974. Both are listed as Liberia-flagged MR tankers, measuring 183 m in length and 32.2 m in beam. The latest order adds to a tanker fleet that has been rebuilt around product tonnage. Metrostar currently lists seven tankers in operation, including one suezmax, four 115,000 dwt LR2s built at Hyundai Vietnam in 2024 and 2025, and two 75,000 dwt LR1s built at Yangzijiang in 2025. The company has also returned to container shipping this year, adding a trio of 1,300 teu feeder vessels built in China in 2008. Splash reported in January that Metrostar had re-entered the boxship sector after more than a decade away, having previously sold five 3,430 teu containerships to Goldenport and Danaos in 2014. The MR order comes amid another active year for Greek product tanker contracting, with owners continuing to book slots in South Korea and China for delivery from 2028 onwards. Compatriot owner Thenamaris recently confirmed four scrubber-fitted 50,000 dwt vessels at the Ulsan-based yard, with deliveries scheduled through 2028. Adis Ajdin Adis is an experienced news reporter with a background in finance, media and education. He has written across the spectrum of offshore energy and ocean industries for many years and is a member of International Federation of Journalists. Previously he had written for Navingo media group titles including Offshore Energy, Subsea World News and Marine Energy. Read Next June 23, 2026 CIMC Raffles to build FPSO for Angola project June 23, 2026 Cido linked to VLCC quartet at HD Hyundai June 23, 2026 Greek owner Ionic lines up four tanker newbuilds in Japan June 23, 2026 Energy transition report warns of offshore workforce cliff edge June 23, 2026 Scotland awards funds to boost offshore wind skills pipeline