Eastern Pacific takes wraps off first ammonia dual-fuel VLAC

Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has named its first ammonia dual-fuel very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, bringing the 93,000 cu m vessel closer to its commercial debut.

The Singapore-based owner christened the vessel Terra Clove at the Ulsan yard, with delivery scheduled for November following sea trials.

The newbuilding is the first ammonia dual-fuel commercial vessel to be registered under the Singapore flag and the first of two such ships being built by HD Hyundai for EPS.

Designed to transport ammonia as cargo and burn it as propulsion fuel, the 230 m long vessel is fitted with Everllence’s 6G60ME-LGIA two-stroke engine, which completed factory acceptance testing in April and passed type approval testing in June.

The ship features four cargo tanks and dedicated ammonia fuel handling and safety systems, including leak detection and emissions management equipment.

The project dates back to June 2022, when EPS joined forces with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and classification society ABS to develop an ammonia-powered gas carrier.

The partners have since worked on the vessel’s design, safety requirements and regulatory approval, with particular attention to ammonia handling, ventilation, emissions and crew preparedness.

The milestone also coincided with EPS signing a strategic partnership with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping during the naming ceremony.

The two will collaborate on alternative fuels, dual-fuel propulsion, energy efficiency and ammonia safety, including research into methane and ammonia emissions. A joint white paper covering VLAC design, operational safety and crew training is expected later this year.

The development adds to EPS’s expanding position in the ammonia carrier market. Earlier this year, the company returned to China’s Jiangnan Shipyard for two additional 90,000 cu m VLACs, scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2028. Those vessels will feature LPG dual-fuel propulsion, rather than engines designed to burn ammonia.

The latest contract followed a series of six 93,000 cu m VLACs previously booked at Jiangnan, as EPS continued building up its gas carrier fleet alongside investments in alternative propulsion technologies.

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