Evalend Shipping has commissioned South Korean shipbuilding giant Hyundai Heavy Industries to build a 300,000-dwt crude tanker — the yard's first VLCC newbuilding contract of 2020.

The deal, which adds to the Greek shipowner's existing orderbook at the yard group, includes an option for a second vessel.

If the option is exercised, it could bring the Kriton Lendoudis-led outfit's total spend at HHI group yards to more than $560m since the start of last year.