DHT Holdings Advances Fleet Renewal With Eco-Friendly VLCCs And Long-Term Deal

DHT Holdings is strengthening its commitment to sustainability and fleet modernization with the addition of four eco-friendly Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), ordered from South Korean shipbuilding giants HD Hyundai Samho and Hanwha Ocean.

Backed by a long-term credit facility co-arranged by ING Bank and Nordea Bank Abp, this move forms a core part of the company’s strategic response to evolving environmental regulations and operational efficiency goals.

New VLCCs to Enhance DHT’s Future-Ready Fleet

Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the four VLCCs—currently named DHT Addax, Antelope, Gazelle, and Impala—will be Tier III compliant and class-ready for multiple fuels, ensuring adaptability to future decarbonization technologies.

Two of the ships will have a capacity of 320,000 deadweight tons (dwt), while the other two will offer 319,000 dwt. These additions are part of DHT’s broader plan to expand and modernize its fleet to meet stricter International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, including the Net Zero Framework (NZF).

Financial Backing and Strategic Efficiency Upgrades

The financing deal provides each vessel with a 12-year maturity from the delivery date and is structured with a 20-year repayment profile. DHT CEO Svein Moxnes Harfjeld highlighted the facility’s critical role in supporting both the company’s fleet renewal and long-term expansion objectives.

Alongside these newbuilds, DHT has invested heavily in retrofitting its existing fleet, including the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) across all vessels by August 2023. The company has also sold older ships to enhance efficiency, while leveraging scrubbers to capitalize on fuel price differentials.

DHT Holdings’ acquisition of four advanced VLCCs, coupled with its focus on emission compliance and efficient financing, reflects a proactive approach to the challenges of modern shipping. By aligning with IMO environmental mandates and upgrading its fleet infrastructure, DHT is not only ensuring regulatory readiness but also securing its position as a forward-looking player in the global maritime oil transport sector.