EPS signs up for six ultra-large ethane carriers in China

Singapore-based shipping company Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has placed an order for six ultra-large ethane carriers in China.

As informed, the shipowner signed a contract with Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, on August 26, 2024, in Shanghai. The order encompasses six 150,000 cbm ethane carriers.

According to Jiangnan Shipyard, the company made history as the first shipbuilder to construct ultra-large ethane carriers.

The vessels are independently designed and developed by the Chinese yard. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, they will feature advanced energy-saving technologies to make them suitable for the net-zero future.

In September last year, EPS and Jiangnan penned a shipbuilding deal for two 93,000 cbm liquid ammonia carriers. The design has been derived from the shipbuilder’s fourth generation Panda 93 A-class of very large gas carriers (VLGC) independently developed by the Chinese shipbuilding company.

With a substantial carrying capacity of 93,000 cubic meters, this vessel claims the title of the world’s largest ammonia carrier. 

Across three core segments of containership, dry bulk, and tanker vessels, EPS’s managed fleet encompasses around 250 vessels of which 74 are dual-fueled.

Meanwhile, Jiangnan recently secured a new contract for the construction of up to four 93,000 cbm very large ammonia carriers for chartering and logistics solutions Jaldhi Overseas, part of Bothra Group.