Eastern Pacific Signs an Agreement for a Pair of World's Largest Ammonia Carriers

The world's largest ammonia carriers, known as VLACs, have been designed based on Jiangnan Shipbuilding's fourth-generation Panda 93 A-class of very large gas carriers (VLGC). These VLACs are impressive vessels, boasting a substantial carrying capacity of 93,000 cubic meters, and they hold the distinction of being the largest ammonia carriers globally. Notably, these vessels are ideally suited for the long-distance transport of green ammonia and have the capability to be fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gases like propane and butane.

The specifications of these VLACs are as follows: an overall length of 230 meters, a molded breadth of 36.6 meters, a molded depth of 22.5 meters, and a structural draft of 13.0 meters. These VLACs have earned classification from the prestigious Lloyd's Register of Shipping.

This recent order marks a significant development for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) as it expands its fleet. It brings EPS's orderbook to a total of six VLACs of the same size. Initially, the Singaporean shipowner placed an order for the construction of four Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) with a capacity of 93,000 cubic meters from Jiangnan Shipbuilding in May 2023. This latest order, therefore, represents the second batch of shipbuilding orders that EPS has entrusted to Jiangnan Shipbuilding, underlining the strength and synergy of the partnership between the two entities.

The contract signing ceremony for this recent order took place in Singapore during the Gastech exhibition and conference. This provided an excellent platform for Jiangnan Shipbuilding to showcase its latest designs for liquefied gas carriers and LNG dual-fuel container vessels. Additionally, Jiangnan Shipbuilding received recognition during the event with an Approval in Principle (AIP) award ceremony for their self-developed second-generation B-type tank, named "BrilliancE II." This notable achievement was celebrated during the event and marked by the presentation of the AIP by John McDonald, President of Global Operations at ABS.

In another noteworthy development, Singapore's Eastern Pacific Shipping has reportedly initiated orders for an additional six vessels. This includes two 210,000 deadweight ton (dwt) bulk carriers from Qingdao Beihai and four very large gas carriers from Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

The bulk carriers come at an individual cost of $80 million each and are expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. What sets these vessels apart is their dual-fuel capability, enabling them to operate with ammonia. This aligns with the upcoming introduction of ammonia-fueled two-stroke engines by MAN Energy Solutions, a renowned German engine manufacturer. These engines are currently under development and are expected to become available in 2024.

On a separate note, the four very large gas carriers, each with an 88,000 cubic meter capacity, are scheduled for delivery in 2027. These vessels come with a price tag of $110 million each, adding to the significance of Eastern Pacific Shipping's expansion efforts.