STX Offshore & Shipbuilding has reportedly booked a 155,000-dwt shuttle tanker from the greek owner European Navigation (Elka Shipping), bringing its suezmax tally from Elka to three.
The two earlier vessels were inked last year on the back of a long-term charter with energy major Petrobras. Elka was said at the time to be holding two options.
The price of the latest tanker has not been adisclosed. But sources suggest yards are seeking in excess of $90m for suezmax shuttle tankers, while Elka is understood to have paid over $93m each for its two earlier vessels.
The triplets will be built at Jinhae yard with the first two pair slated for delivery next year and the third in 2014.
However, Director Anthony Vlassakis confirms that Elka holds an option but still has time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, the South Korean shipbuilder is known to have secured a total of 15 vessels, totalling about $900m year to date, including the recently ordered 155,000-dwt shuttle tanker.