On January 26, Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), formally signed a contract with Southwest Shipping for the construction of two 90,000 m³ Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs).
The VLAC signed in this agreement is independently developed by Jiangnan Shipyard. It adopts a new generation of low-drag hull design, achieving a balance between maximizing cargo capacity and minimizing drag while meeting the dimensional restrictions of the old Panama Canal. This is achieved through optimized bow and stern shapes and waterline distribution, significantly improving overall operational efficiency. The core of this vessel is its LPG dual-fuel propulsion system, which, compared to traditional diesel propulsion systems, can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 20% and SOₓ emissions by approximately 99%, meeting EEDI Stage III emission requirements.
This shipbuilding project with Southwest Shipping is the second VLAC order signed by Jiangnan Shipyard. On January 5, Jiangnan Shipyard signed an agreement with Singapore’s East Pacific Shipping for two 90,000m³ VLACs. The cost of each new vessel is US$100 million, and delivery is expected in mid-2028 and the end of 2028.
It is reported that since 2026, Jiangnan Shipyard has secured orders for 18 new vessels across three types from domestic and international shipowners. These include two 175,000m³ LNG carriers, four 90,000m³ VLACs, and twelve 18,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships.
The successful implementation of this project stems from the long-standing mutual trust and deep cooperation cultivated through numerous joint ventures. This milestone not only represents a significant benchmark for both parties advancing together in the field of green new ship designs, but also lays a solid foundation and achieves a strong start for securing large gas carrier orders this year. It will further consolidate and enhance China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s market influence and core competitiveness in the gas carrier sector.
Tianjin Southwest Shipping is a leading enterprise in the global gas transportation shipping sector. With years of deep industry expertise, it has built a diversified fleet covering small-to-medium-sized LPG/ethylene carriers, Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) and asphalt carriers.