John Inglessis' JHI Steamship boosts tanker orderbook with VLCC order in Korea

The company has disclosed on its website that it has placed an order with South Korean shipbuilding group Hanwha Ocean for a single 320,000-dwt vessel, with delivery scheduled for 2029.

JHI Steamship’s move underscores Greek owners’ aggressive expansion in the VLCC segment. According to Xclusiv Shipbrokers data, Greek interests ordered 24 VLCCs in Q1 2026, out of a global total of 64 vessels. By comparison, just three VLCCs were added to the global orderbook in Q1 2025.

JHI Steamship has been active in the newbuilding market since its establishment. The company has also contracted South Korea’s K Shipbuilding for three Aframax/LR2 tankers, with deliveries scheduled through 2028, as well as Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries for a pair of Suezmax vessels set to join the fleet by 2029.

In a previous speech marking a newbuilding delivery, Mr Inglessis emphasised his focus on high-quality tonnage.

“The great advantage of modern vessels today lies in their significantly lower fuel consumption and emissions, approaching minimum levels. This benefits both the environment and our industry,” he said in January in Japan, when JHI Steamship took delivery of Aframax tanker Arion from Sumitomo Heavy Industries.

Overall, JHI Steamship controls a fleet of 13 tankers and seven bulk carriers, according to information on its website.

JHI Steamship was founded by John Inglessis after he and his cousin, Anthony Inglessis, both of whom had led Samos Steamship, decided to part ways and establish separate shipping ventures.

Anthony Inglessis now heads Carlova Maritime, which is also active in tanker and bulker newbuildings.