Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Dht-Leopard

Recent investigations have uncovered significant meter-long cracks in the rudders of a series of newly constructed supertankers from Hyundai Heavy Industries, one of South Korea's premier shipyards. This alarming discovery has prompted a comprehensive review of 35 supertankers to determine if they also suffer from similar structural flaws, believed to stem from design deficiencies. The issue first came to light approximately four months ago when DHT Holdings conducted routine inspections of six supertankers under warranty, revealing extensive cracks in the helm of the 'DHT Jaguar,' the inaugural vessel in a cluster of six identical supertankers delivered by HHI. Subsequent evaluations identified comparable defects in other vessels from the same series, including the 'DHT Leopard.' Currently, both the 'DHT Jaguar' and 'DHT Leopard' are undergoing repairs at the shipyard, while a third sister ship remains in construction. Hyundai Heavy Industries has a total of 35 supertankers of this design, albeit with varying rudder configurations, leading to a decision for thorough inspections on all units. Not only DHT Holdings, but also Gener8, Euronav, and Frontline operate supertankers of the same type and have been alerted to the critical situation. Some operators have already assessed their fleets, discovering vessels without issues, while others have traced faults requiring immediate attention.

On January 4, 2016, DHT Holdings, Inc., a prominent crude oil tanker operator, proudly announced the delivery of its latest vessel, the DHT Leopard, a state-of-the-art very large crude carrier (VLCC) with a deadweight tonnage of 299,900 dwt. This impressive addition was constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. The DHT Leopard is set to launch into the spot market as the second vessel in a series of six fully financed VLCC newbuilds, marking DHT's commitment to expanding its fleet with new deliveries scheduled from November 2015 through October 2016.