Greek owner Thanassis Laskaridis has doubled his LR2 tanker newbuilding commitment at China's Hengli Heavy Industries, ordering two more 114,000 dwt vessels and taking his total commitment at the yard to four LR2s. The new contracts cover vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028, following an earlier agreement concluded in late 2025 for two tankers of the same size, due in 2027. The group operates its tanker interests through Alimia Shipping and Alimia Tankers, while Laskaridis Tankers manages the expanding wet fleet. With the latest order, the group's combined tanker fleet and orderbook now stands at 10 vessels, split evenly between 49,800 dwt MR2 product tankers and LR2s. The expansion follows the group's exit from two VLCC newbuilding positions at Hengli, with those vessels subsequently acquired by commodities trading and shipping group Trafigura. Laskaridis had entered the VLCC segment at the yard in 2025, building on a relationship established through an extensive kamsarmax bulk carrier construction programme. The group has since redirected part of its tanker investment toward the product and aframax segments, with the latest Hengli agreement adding capacity scheduled beyond its existing 2027 tanker deliveries.