Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has returned to China to add more ammonia carrier capacity, placing an order for two very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) at Jiangnan Shipyard.
The Singapore-based owner has signed a contract for two 90,000 cu m newbuildings, with delivery scheduled for the first half of 2028. Jiangnan said the deal is its first shipbuilding contract of 2026, without disclosing the pricing.
The new ships will be built to a neo-panamax design, keeping within the size limits of the original Panama Canal locks. Jiangnan said the design features a low-resistance hull, with optimised bow and stern lines and refined waterline distribution aimed at improving fuel efficiency while maximising cargo intake. The VLACs will be fitted with LPG dual-fuel propulsion systems, which the yard said will cut CO2 by around 20% and sulphur oxide emissions by almost 99% compared with conventional fuel setups.
The order builds on an established relationship between EPS and Jiangnan. In 2023, EPS placed an order at the yard for six 93,000 cu m VLACs, costing about $100m each. That was followed in 2024 by a contract for six 150,000 cu m ultra large ethane carriers. Jiangnan has also secured other VLAC business recently, including an order for two units from domestic owner Tianjin Southwest Maritime in late 2025.
