Laskaridis doubles LR2 orderbook at Hengli Heavy Industries

Greek shipowner Thanassis Laskaridis has expanded his commitment to the LR2 segment, doubling his newbuilding program at China’s Hengli Heavy Industries with an order for two additional vessels.

The latest contract covers two 114,000 dwt tankers scheduled for delivery in 2028. This follows an agreement concluded in late 2025 for an initial pair of identical vessels due in 2027, bringing the owner’s total LR2 commitment at the yard to four units.

The move signals a definitive strategic pivot for the Laskaridis group, which operates through Alimia Shipping and Alimia Tankers. The additional LR2 orders follow the group’s recent exit from the VLCC segment, where it sold two newbuilding positions at Hengli to commodities giant Trafigura. By reallocating capital from VLCCs to LR2s, Laskaridis is prioritizing the versatility of the aframax-sized product carrier over the economies of scale offered by crude-only tonnage.

This shift suggests a tactical preference for vessels capable of switching between clean product and crude trades, providing a commercial hedge against volatility in specific oil markets. The 2028 delivery slots also indicate that the group is looking to extend its fleet renewal window well beyond its current 2027 delivery peak.

The relationship between Laskaridis and Hengli Heavy Industries has matured rapidly. The owner initially established a presence at the yard through an extensive kamsarmax bulk carrier program before moving into the tanker sector. The group’s total tanker portfolio, managed by Laskaridis Tankers, now comprises 10 vessels evenly split between 49,800 dwt MR2s and the 114,000 dwt LR2s.

Source: Splash247