Sea Pioneer Shipping, led by Vasilis Bacolitsas, has been identified as the Greek owner behind SK Oceanplant's recent order for six firm aframax tankers, with two optional units. The contract, announced on August 31, was valued at around KRW600bn ($437m) for the firm portion, potentially rising to KRW800bn ($583m) if both options are exercised. This marks the South Korean yard's first order from a Greek shipowner.
The firm vessels are scheduled for delivery across 2029 and the first half of 2030. For Sea Pioneer, this deal represents a significant return to crude tankers and will introduce the largest ships in its current fleet.
The Athens-based owner has been renewing its mixed tanker and dry bulk fleet over the past couple of years, disposing of four older vessels and acquiring seven newbuildings between 2024 and early 2026, including three kamsarmax bulkers and four tankers. Sea Pioneer's history with aframax vessels dates back to 2000, when it acquired its first crude aframax, followed by its first newbuilding programme in 2006 for four 50,500 dwt IMO2/3 product tankers at GSI.
The order is particularly significant for SK Oceanplant, formerly Samkang M&T, which has focused heavily on offshore wind structures in recent years and is now rebuilding its commercial shipbuilding business. The deal also comes as control of SK Oceanplant is changing hands, with a consortium linked to D-Ocean Asset Management and former STX Group architect Kang Duk-soo acquiring the business for around KRW410bn ($298m), bringing one of South Korea's best-known shipbuilding figures back into the sector.
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