Jiangnan Shipyard has added two more very large ammonia carrier newbuildings to its orderbook.
The Shanghai-based shipbuilder said AW Shipping — the joint venture between Adnoc Logistics & Services and Chinese polyurethane producer Wanhua Chemical Group — has ordered the pair of 93,000-cbm gas carriers.
The two VLACs are optional vessels attached to an initial order for two VLACs that AW Shipping placed with signed the state-owned shipyard.
The ships can be fuelled by LPG or conventional fuels and are scheduled for delivery from 2026 to 2028.
AW Shipping is believed to be paying around $125m per ship.
Abu Dhabi office
The VLAC newbuilding contract was signed in Abu Dhabi during the inauguration of Jiangnan’s new representative office.
Establishing the Middle East office marks a significant milestone for the 160-year-old shipyard, which previously had no presence outside of China.
It is also the only shipyard under China State Shipbuilding Co (CSSC) to have an office outside the country.
Jiangnan said the office in Abu Dhabi signifies a new phase of cooperation between CSSC, the shipyard and countries in the Middle East.
Xiao Wenlin, Jiangnan’s president, said the Abu Dhabi office will help to strengthen cooperation with oil and gas players and shipping companies in the region. It will also enable Jiangnan to provide a better service and have a better grasp of the needs and demands there.
AW Shipping is one of Jiangnan’s biggest customers. Besides the four VLACs, it also has orders for nine 99,000-cbm very large ethane carriers priced at about $1.4bn with the yard.
These vessels can be powered by ethane or conventional fuels and are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2027.
Jiangnan is also constructing six 175,000-cbm LNG carriers for Adnoc L&S.
The company ordered the sextet in 2022 and is due to take delivery of the first vessel, to be named Al Shelila, in December this year.
Two of the remaining five LNG carriers are slated for 2025 delivery, with the rest in 2026.
