Hanwha Ocean Bags Order for World’s Largest Ammonia Carriers

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has secured a $498 million order for four very large ammonia carriers (VLAC) from Greece-based LPG shipping company Naftomar Shipping and Trading Co., South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reports.

Construction will take place at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, with expected by the first half of 2027.

Each VLAC will have a capacity to carry 93,000 cubic meters (cbm) of ammonia, making them the largest ammonia carriers in the world. The vessels will also be ammonia-ready for future conversion to ammonia fueled propulsion systems.

Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME), received an approval in principle for an 86,000-cubic-meter ammonia carrier from classification societies Bureau Veritas and Lloyd’s Register. Designed with four prismatic-type cargo tanks, the vessel design has an overall length of approximately 230m, breadth of 36.6m, and depth of 22.5m.

Ammonia (NH3) is considered one of the zero-carbon fuel options being considered by the shipping industry as it aims to reduce carbon emissions. NH3 burns without releasing CO2 and is considered zero-carbon from production to usage when derived from renewable energy sources.

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