Evangelos Marinakis-led Capital Gas Ship Management Corp has ordered the world’s largest ammonia carriers, signing for two 88,000 cu m very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. The ships are scheduled to be delivered by the second half of 2027, a sign of the extraordinarily long orderbook at the South Korea’s largest shipyard.
The vessels distinguish themselves from conventional very large gas carriers as they are designed with significantly increased ammonia loading capacity in the cargo tanks, allowing them to carry ammonia up to 98% of cargo tank capacity.
Saying in a release that the Greek company is laying the foundations for the energy transition, Capital is currently implementing one of the largest and most diversified shipbuilding programs of 59 newbuildings including the order of the world’s first two liquefied CO2 22,000 cu m carriers expected to be delivered in 2025-2026.
The signing ceremony took place during the Gastech 2023 event held in Singapore, where HD Hyundai signed contracts for the world’s first four 88,000 cu m VLACs with Capital Gas and Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS). Furthermore, Capital Gas and EPS have agreed with HD Hyundai to explore the possibility for this series of vessels to be equipped with an ammonia dual-fuel propulsion system.
