Thenamaris, a Greek shipowner, has announced a substantial expansion of its tanker newbuilding program. The company has confirmed previous reports of an order for two 50,000 dwt MR2 product tankers with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, with deliveries anticipated in 2026. Additionally, Thenamaris has placed orders for two more 50,000 dwt MR2 product tankers at China's New Times Shipbuilding, scheduled for delivery in 2027. This brings their total confirmed MR2 product tanker orders to four vessels.
This move is part of Thenamaris's ongoing and aggressive fleet renewal strategy, positioning them as one of the most active participants in the newbuilding market. The company has been consistently investing in new vessels across various segments, including LNG carriers, bulk carriers, and now a significant number of product tankers.
For freight forwarders and shippers, an increase in new product tankers entering the market, particularly in the MR2 segment, could eventually lead to greater capacity for refined petroleum products. While these vessels will not be delivered for several years, the long-term trend suggests a modernized fleet with potentially improved efficiency and environmental performance. This might influence future freight rates for product tanker shipments, although the immediate impact on current capacity or pricing is negligible.
