On January 15, CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard, in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), formally signed a contract with Singapore-based shipowner Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) for the construction of two 175,000 m³ liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
Notably, this marks the first LNG carrier order announced by a Chinese shipyard in 2026!
The vessel signed this time is a second-generation 175,000 m³ LNG carrier independently developed by Jiangnan Shipyard. Based on the first-generation design, the vessel has further optimized its main dimensions, hull lines and overall layout, and is equipped with the Jiangnan Ship Intelligent System (JNIS), which has advantages such as lower overall energy consumption, better terminal compatibility, and more intelligent operation and maintenance.
The signing of these two 175,000 m³ LNG carriers marks the second collaboration between Jiangnan Shipyard and EPS in 2026, and the fourth time the two companies have joined hands since 2023.
In 2023, EPS and Jiangnan Shipyard first collaborated, ordering six 93,000 m³ Very Large Ammonia (VLACs), the world’s first such order at the time. In 2024, EPS and Jiangnan Shipyard began their second collaboration, ordering six 150,000 m³ Ultra Large Ethane Carriers (ULECs), the most efficient in the world to date. On January 5, 2026, EPS and Jiangnan Shipyard joined forces for the third time to build the world’s largest Panamax 90,000 m³ VLAC. The latest signing marks the fourth collaboration between the two companies, further expanding their cooperation to the field of large LNG carriers, signifying the establishment of a comprehensive cooperative ecosystem covering clean energy transportation equipment.
To date, Jiangnan Shipyard has successfully delivered four first-generation 175,000 m³ LNG carriers, all serving internationally renowned oil and gas companies or energy traders. Following delivery, all vessels have successfully completed multiple loading and unloading operations, demonstrating stable and excellent operational performance. At the beginning of the new year, Jiangnan Shipyard secured another LNG carrier order, which not only continues and deepens the close cooperation between Jiangnan Shipyard and EPS, but also signifies that Jiangnan Shipyard’s strength and reputation in the construction of large LNG carriers have gained international recognition in the shipping market.
Shipowner EPS is a renowned company with a distinguished 60-year history in the shipping industry, ranking among the world’s largest independent shipowners. Headquartered in Singapore, it employs 7,000 seafarers and shore-based staff, managing a diversified fleet centered on four vessel types: container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquefied gas carriers, and oil tankers, with a total deadweight tonnage of 31 million tons.
Notably, the two 175,000 m³ LNG carriers for EPS represent the second major order announced by Jiangnan Shipyard this week. On Tuesday (the 13th), the contract signed between Jiangnan Shipyard and COSCO Shipping Lines for 12 dual-fuel LNG-powered 18,000 TEU container ships officially took effect. The total value of the deal stands at RMB 16.788 billion, with deliveries expected between 2028 and 2029.