On 10 July, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) hosted the naming ceremony for a 93,000-cbm very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) for AW Shipping, whilst also signing a contract with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the construction of four 175,000-cbm LNG carriers.

The ammonia carrier, named Meera and assigned hull number H2749, is a derivative of Jiangnan Shipyard’s fourth-generation very large gas carrier (VLGC) design. The vessel has a total length of 230.0 metres and a depth of 22.5 metres, and features a new generation of low-drag hull design. Its engine room is equipped with an LPG dual-fuel main engine and shaft-driven generator, which the company says enables it to meet current carbon emissions requirements.

The 175,000-cbm LNG carrier, meanwhile, is described by Jiangnan Shipyard as its latest generation of green, intelligent and flexible LNG transoceanic transport vessel, developed and designed in-house. According to CSSC, it represents a comprehensive upgrade on previously delivered vessels and is said to deliver considerable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with its predecessors. The design is equipped with Jiangnan Shipyard’s in-house JNIS intelligent ship platform, which the company claims is compatible with more than 160 large LNG terminals and floating LNG terminals worldwide.

The signing ceremony for the four LNG carriers was attended by Wang Guoqiang, director and general manager of CSSC, alongside His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and CEO of ADNOC Group. Hussein Ibrahim Hamadi, the UAE’s ambassador to China, and Hassan Al-Nowais, deputy minister of industry and advanced technology, also attended.

The contract was signed between CSSC’s Jiangnan Shipyard, in conjunction with CSSC Trading, and ADNOC. Ahead of the signing, Wang Guoqiang and Dr Sultan Ahmed Jaber held talks, during which the two sides discussed expanding areas of cooperation and establishing a long-term strategic partnership, according to CSSC.

Representatives from Wanhua Chemical and Lloyd’s Register also attended the events, alongside officials from relevant CSSC departments and UAE government personnel.