CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard has commenced construction of the first vessel in a series of 95,000-cbm very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) being built for Singapore-based Jaldhi Overseas Pte Ltd, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on 22 June.

The vessel, hull number H2840, is being built jointly by CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard and CSSC Trade. Its design is said to be a derivative of Jiangnan's independently developed fourth-generation very large gas carrier (VLGC) platform — the 93,000-cbm Panda 93A, which is claimed to be the world’s largest liquid ammonia carrier — with two additional 1,000-cbm deck tanks bringing the total loading capacity to 95,000 cbm.

Attendees at the ceremony included Jaldhi CEO M Suresh Kumar, Project General Manager Sharat Nambiar, and Apollo Ship Management Director Unni Pradeep, alongside representatives from CSSC Leasing, Tidebridge, NorthCape Partners and DNV.

The vessel measures 230.0 metres in overall length and features a hull form said to have been independently developed to deliver balanced performance across full load, ballast, and mixed-cargo loading conditions. The engine room is fitted with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel main engine and a shaft-driven generator, in line with current carbon emission requirements.

Jiangnan noted that the vessel is suited to long-distance transport of green ammonia and is also capable of carrying LPG cargoes such as propane and butane.