Sea Pioneer emerges behind SK Oceanplant aframax haul

According to Splash 247, Sea Pioneer Shipping has been identified by market sources as the buyer of six aframax crude carriers from SK Oceanplant. The deal includes six firm 115,000 dwt vessels and options for two additional units. While the South Korean shipbuilder initially announced the contract without naming the client, the firm portion of the agreement is valued at approximately $437 million.

If the Vasilis Bacolitsas-led company exercises both options, the total contract value could rise to $583 million. The delivery schedule for the firm orders spans from 2029 through the first half of 2030. This transaction marks the first time a Greek shipowner has placed an order with the yard, formerly known as Samkang M&T, which has recently focused on offshore wind structures.

For Sea Pioneer, the acquisition represents a significant expansion into larger crude tankers. The Athens-based firm has been actively modernizing its fleet, having recently replaced four older vessels with seven newbuildings, including tankers and bulkers. This latest investment is the largest in its current fleet and follows a history of aframax involvement dating back to the company's first acquisition in 2000.

The order coincides with a change in ownership at SK Oceanplant, as a consortium led by D-Ocean Asset Management and Kang Duk-soo acquires the business for nearly $298 million. This transition marks the return of Kang Duk-soo, a prominent figure in South Korean shipbuilding, to the industry as the yard seeks to revitalize its commercial shipbuilding operations alongside its offshore business.