Nordic American Tankers has turned to Samsung Heavy Industries with an order for a trio of suezmax newbuildings marking the South Korean yard's first tanker deal of the year.

Herbjorn Hansson-led NAT has made the move on the heels of a $126.5m equity issue and predictions from its chief executive that an order was in the works.

In a statement today, Hansson said: "This is another large step forward for Nordic American.