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.