Greek owner Sea Pioneer Shipping has emerged as the company behind SK Oceanplant's recently announced series of six firm plus two optional aframax tankers. Market sources have identified the Vasilis Bacolitsas-led owner as the previously unnamed Greek customer behind six 115,000 dwt crude carriers ordered at the South Korean yard. SK Oceanplant announced the contract on 31 Aug 2026 without disclosing its customer, valuing the firm portion at around KRW600bn ($437m). Exercising both options would lift the package to as much as KRW800bn ($583m). The order marks the yard's first from a Greek shipowner, with the firm vessels scheduled for delivery across 2029 and the first half of 2030. For Sea Pioneer, the deal represents a sizeable return to crude tankers and will introduce the largest ships in its current fleet. The Athens-based owner has spent the past two years renewing its mixed tanker and dry bulk fleet, disposing of four older vessels between 2024 and early 2026 while adding seven newbuildings, including three kamsarmax bulkers and four tankers. The company's aframax history dates back to 2000, with its first newbuilding programme following in 2006. The order is 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. It also comes as control of the yard changes hands, with a consortium linked to D-Ocean Asset Management and former STX Group figure Kang Duk-soo acquiring the business for around KRW410bn ($298m).