27 Jan 2026by Georgios Georgiou
Chinese shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyard has expanded its January newbuilding tally with a fresh order for very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) from a domestic shipowner
The CSSC subsidiary disclosed on 26 January that it has secured a contract for two 90,000-m³ VLACs from Southwest Maritime.
This marks the yard’s second VLAC deal of the year and its fourth newbuilding contract overall. Earlier this month, Eastern Pacific Shipping joined forces with Jiangnan for two VLACs and a pair of LNG carriers, while COSCO ordered 12 18,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships at the builder.
CSSC’s yards are entering the year with strong momentum in the gas carrier segment – traditionally dominated by South Korean shipbuilders. In addition to Jiangnan’s wins, sister yard Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding recently secured an order for up to six LNG carriers from TMS Cardiff Gas.
Vessel design features
Commenting on the latest order, Jiangnan noted that the signing represents a “deep continuation of the strategic co-operation between both parties for more than a decade,” while underscoring the “core competitiveness of Chinese shipbuilders in the field of green energy transport equipment.”
According to the shipyard, the VLACs will feature a new-generation low-resistance hull design and will be equipped with an LPG dual-fuel propulsion system. Jiangnan said the design achieves “a balance between maximum cargo capacity and minimum sailing resistance by optimising the bow and stern shapes and waterline distribution.”
Southwest Maritime is described as a leading global player in the gas shipping sector, with a diversified fleet comprising small and medium-sized LPG/ethylene carriers, very large gas carriers, very large ethane carriers, and asphalt carriers. Equasis currently lists 27 vessels under the company’s ownership.
