China is already the world’s dominant builder
of bulk carriers and container ships. Now, it is also capturing a rising share of
hi-tech gas carrier orders
·
Chinese
shipbuilder Jiangnan
Shipyard delivered the world's largest Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC),
named Ivy Cove,
on 11 June 2026.
·
The
vessel has a cargo capacity of 93,000
cubic metres, making it the largest ammonia carrier delivered
globally to date.
·
Ivy
Cove is the first vessel delivered under a six-ship order placed in 2023 by
Singapore-based shipping company Eastern
Pacific Shipping.
·
The
project marks the first collaboration between Eastern Pacific Shipping and
Jiangnan Shipyard.
·
In
January 2026, the partnership expanded with a new order for two additional
90,000-cubic-metre ammonia carriers, scheduled for delivery in 2028.
·
Ammonia
is increasingly viewed as a key fuel in the global energy transition because:
o It produces no carbon dioxide emissions when burned.
o It can serve as an efficient carrier for
hydrogen transportation.
·
Since
ammonia liquefies at higher temperatures than hydrogen, it is easier and more
economical to store and transport over long distances.
·
Hydrogen
can be converted into ammonia for shipping and reconverted into hydrogen at its
destination.
·
Transporting
ammonia requires sophisticated engineering due to:
o Its high density,
o Corrosive properties,
o Strict safety requirements.
·
The
successful completion of the vessel demonstrates Jiangnan's advanced
capabilities in specialized liquefied gas carrier construction.
·
Chinese
shipyards secured nearly 85%
of global new vessel orders during the first quarter of 2026.
·
China
is already the world's leading producer of:
o Bulk carriers,
o Container ships,
o Product oil tankers.
·
Chinese
shipbuilders are now expanding into high-value segments traditionally dominated
by South Korean shipyards, particularly liquefied gas carriers.
·
Another
major Chinese shipbuilder, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding,
recently began construction of the world's largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier.
·
The
LNG vessel will have a capacity of 271,000
cubic metres and is scheduled for delivery in 2028.
·
The
project is part of the fleet expansion programme of QatarEnergy.
·
Hudong-Zhonghua has secured 36 LNG carrier orders
under the QatarEnergy programme, making it the
largest builder participating in the project.
·
The
delivery of the Ivy Cove
highlights China's rapid advancement in high-tech, green-energy shipping and
reinforces its growing leadership in global shipbuilding.
·
By
expanding into ammonia and LNG carrier construction, Chinese shipyards are
moving beyond conventional vessel manufacturing and positioning themselves at
the forefront of the maritime energy transition.
China’s
major shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyard delivered the world’s largest ammonia carrier
on Wednesday, marking another critical milestone in the country’s push into
high-value shipbuilding.
The
93,000-cubic-metre very large ammonia carrier (VLAC), named Ivy Cove, is the first
vessel to be delivered from a six-ship order placed in 2023 by Singaporean shipowner
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).
The
VLAC order, which is the first order EPS has placed with Jiangnan, shows Chinese
shipbuilders’ active participation in global decarbonisation, the state-owned shipyard
said in a press release.
The
successful delivery of Ivy Cove also showcases Jiangnan’s advanced technical capabilities
in the specialised liquefied gas carrier sector, the company said, given the difficulties
involved in the project.
Transporting
ammonia poses severe engineering challenges due to the chemical’s high density and
corrosive nature, requiring higher structural and safety standards for cargo containment
and weight bearing.
Ammonia
is a green fuel as it emits no carbon dioxide upon combustion. Furthermore, because
ammonia liquefies at a much higher temperature than hydrogen, it serves as an ideal
medium to store and transport hydrogen across oceans.
Through
a two-way chemical process, hydrogen can be transformed into liquid ammonia for
the long journey, and then converted back into pure hydrogen upon arrival.
The
relationship between the Singaporean buyer and the Chinese shipbuilder continues
to deepen. After placing the original six-vessel order in 2023, EPS signed a fresh
contract with Jiangnan in January for another two 90,000-cubic-metre (3.18 million
cubic feet) VLACs, with deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2028.
The
delivery comes amid China’s growing dominance in global shipbuilding. In the first
quarter of this year, Chinese shipyards secured nearly 85 per cent of all new global
vessel orders.
Already
the world’s top producers of traditional bulk carriers, container ships and product
oil tankers, Chinese builders are now capturing a rising share of hi-tech gas carrier
orders – an area where Korean shipyards have long led the market.
On
Tuesday, Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding formally
started construction on the world’s largest liquefied natural gas carrier – a 271,000-cubic-metre
vessel scheduled for delivery in 2028.
The
vessel is part of QatarEnergy’s fleet expansion programme.
Within this massive project, Hudong-Zhonghua has emerged
as the single-largest builder, securing a total of 36 LNG carrier orders.