May 6, Jiangnan Shipbuilding (Group) Company Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited(CSSC), in conjunction with China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd. has signed a contract with Eastern Pacific Shipping(EPS), a Singapore shipping company, for the construction of four 93,000 cubic meter vast liquefied ammonia carriers (VLAC). It is worth mentioning that this order is the first VLAC order in Chinese shipbuilding industry.

 

With a volume of 93,000 cubic meter, the VLAC, as the largest one in the world, is a derivation of the fourth generation of vast liquefied gas carrier(VLGC), which is independently designed and developed by Jiangnan Shipbuilding Company. The carrier features a total length of 230 meters, a width of 36.6 meters, a depth of 22.5 meters, and a scantling draft of 13 meters and has been classified by Lloyd's Register of Shipping(LR). This type of carrier can have a relatively excellent performance in full load, ballast and loading liquid cargo of different gravity. It can not only transport green ammonia over long distance, but also fully loaded liquefied petroleum gases including propane and butane.

 

Reportedly, this cooperation is the first time that EPS has signed an order to build the VLAC in China. With the successful acceptance of the order, Jiangnan Shipbuilding Company now has accumulated 52 VLGC orders, accounting for 24.7% of the global market, holding a leading position in VLGC market.

 

Green ammonia is considered one of the most promising alternative fuels for achieving zero-carbon shipping goals. As a zero-carbon energy, ammonia can meet more stringent greenhouse gas emission requirements, which enable shipping industry to realize the ultimate emissions reduction target in 2050. As demands for ammonia fuel expand, the demands for long-haul carriers of liquid ammonia providing stable supply will also increase. As an active advocate and leader of "net-zero" carbon emission, Jiangnan Shipbuilding Company will always be forward-looking and pay jointly efforts with main partners in the industry to proactively promote the development of liquefied gas carriers featuring "net-zero" carbon emission.