US trader Trammo is chartering up to five dual-fuel LPG carrier newbuildings from China’s Tianjin Southwest Maritime.
Singapore subsidiary Trammo Navigation has signed agreements for long-term charters with the shipping company — an affiliate of Guangzhou-based shipowner Wideshine Enterprise — for one 25,000-cbm ship and two 41,000-cbm vessels.
It added that the number for the larger ships may extend to four.
The charter period and rates are not disclosed, but the company said the quintet is expected to be delivered from 2026 from CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
Trammo said the new vessels have been designed for its ammonia trade and will be powered by WinGD’s dual-fuel ammonia engines.
It said it is committed to decarbonising its fleet and striving to meet the 2030 goals of the 2023 International Maritime Organization’s greenhouse gas strategy.
“It is intended that the vessels will consume ammonia as fuel to reduce carbon emissions by burning carbon-neutral fuels,” it added.
“The vessels will be equipped with additional eco features such as shaft generators and paints produced using the latest technology to improve hydrodynamic efficiency and lower fuel consumption.”
Trammo said the gas carriers are expected to join its prime fleet for trading in Europe.
“They will further Trammo’s goal of reducing carbon shipping emissions and will include the world’s first handysize ammonia-fuelled vessels,” it said.
Enhanced partnership
Trammo said the collaboration with Wideshine on this project has strengthened a relationship that has existed for several years.
It has chartered the owner’s 22,000-cbm Hong Jin (built 2016) on a long-term basis and the Jiangnan-built LPG ships are used for both international and domestic trade.
Trammo global ammonia product manager Christophe Savi said the chartering project with Wideshine will not only fulfil Trammo’s chartered commercial requirements but also reflect its strong commitment to reduce carbon emissions from shipping.
Wideshine is part of Wideshine Group, which was founded by Liu Jichun. Its fleet of LPG carriers is commercially managed by subsidiary Sinogas Management.
