Akrotiri Tankers, the newly formed Greek shipowner led by Marielena Procopiou and her husband Konstantinos Lampsias, has placed its first newbuilding order, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion.According to market sources, the Athens-based company has signed a contract for two LR1 product tankers at New Century Shipbuilding in China.While pricing has not been disclosed, industry estimates put current LR1 newbuilding values around $59m apiece.The order highlights Akrotiri Tankers’ strategy to focus on the LR1 segment, where it has already built a foothold through the purchase of three secondhand ships for about $80m since its launch earlier this year, including the 2010-built Castor I (pictured). Deliveries of the newbuildings are expected by the end of 2028.The move also strengthens the Prokopiou family’s footprint in the product tanker space. Marielena’s father, veteran shipowner George Procopiou, has a series of LR1s on order at his Dynacom Tankers Management.Beyond Akrotiri, Procopiou and Lampsias manage Delos Navigation, a dry bulk venture with a fleet of 10 bulk carriers acquired on the secondhand market.