On March 7th, Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), officially began the construction of the first ship in the series of the world’s largest 93,000 cubic meter Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLAC) for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).
It is reported that the series comprises six vessels, contracted in April and August 2023, marking the world’s first batch of 93,000 cubic meter VLAC orders. This project also signifies the inaugural collaboration between Jiangnan Shipyard and EPS.
The 93,000 cubic meter VLAC is a derivative of the fourth-generation VLGC premium vessel model (Panda 93A) independently developed and designed by Jiangnan Shipyard. This vessel type is currently the world’s largest ammonia carrier, with a total length of 230.0 meters, a beam of 36.6 meters, a depth of 22.5 meters, and a structural draft of 13.0 meters. It is classed by Lloyd’s Register.
Considering the higher density of anhydrous liquid ammonia compared with conventional liquefied petroleum gas during the design of this vessel, the design of liquid tanks has been specially strengthened, and at the same time, a new generation of low-resistance hull lines developed completely independently has been adopted, so that the vessel can have excellent and balanced performance under the loading conditions of full load, ballasted and liquid cargoes of different specific gravity.