Capital Gas Ship Management has announced the order for the world’s first two 88,000 CBM (㎥) very-large ammonia carriers (VLAC) with KSOE.
According to Capital Gas, the vessels will be constructed at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and are scheduled to be delivered by the second half of 2027. The vessels are designed with significantly increased ammonia loading capacity in the cargo tanks, allowing them to carry ammonia up to 98% of cargo tank capacity.
Furthermore, Capital Gas and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) have agreed with Hyundai to explore the possibility for this series of vessels to be equipped with an ammonia dual-fuel propulsion system.
As the company notes, Capital is currently implementing one of the largest and most diversified shipbuilding programs of 59 newbuildings with delivery dates extending from 2020 to 2027 including the order of the world’s first two innovative liquefied CO2 (LCO2) 22,000cbm carriers expected to be delivered in 2025-2026.
The signing ceremony took place during the ‘Gastech 2023’ event held in Singapore, whereby KSOE signed contracts for the world’s first four 88,000 CBM (㎥) VLACs with Capital Gas and Singapore’s EPS.
To remind, during the same event, EPS, MAN ES, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and yards from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation agreed to collaborate on an ammonia burning engine that will be fitted to a new fleet of EPS- managed vessels.
