EPS receives LPG dual-fuel ammonia carrier from Jiangnan Shipyard

Singapore-based global shipping company Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has taken delivery of an LPG dual-fuel very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard.

IMAGE: EPS’ LPG dual-fuel VLAC Lilac Cove. Jiangnan Shipyard

Named Lilac Cove, the newbuild has a capacity of 93,000 cbm and can operate on both LPG and conventional marine fuels. The vessel can carry both ammonia and LPG cargoes, including propane and butane, giving it greater flexibility in cargo operations.

Lilac Cove is the second of six VLACs being built for EPS at Jiangnan Shipyard, following the delivery of the first vessel, Ivy Cove, in June.

The global fleet of LPG-capable vessels currently stands at 179, with another 160 ships expected to enter service by 2030. Of the existing fleet, 165 vessels are dedicated LPG carriers, while 14 can transport both LPG and ammonia, according to classification society DNV.

LPG-capable vessel activity has been particularly strong this month. Belgian shipping company Exmar took delivery of a new LPG dual-fuel gas carrier for its French subsidiary, Exmar France.

Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO Shipping launched an LPG dual-fuel very large gas carrier (VLGC), while Japanese tanker operator IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO Lines) signed a time charter contract with energy and commodities trading group BGN for an LPG dual-fuel VLGC newbuild.

Gas carrier owner Dorian LPG also ordered three 90,000-cbm LPG dual-fuel VLGCs from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.

By Tuhin Roy

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