China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has delivered what it claims is the world’s first 93,000 cbm very large ammonia carrier (VLAC), named Ivy Cove, to Singapore-based shipowner EPS. The vessel will be chartered by commodities trader Trafigura following delivery.

The vessel, developed under Jiangnan’s in-house 'PANDA 93A' brand, was derived from the shipyard’s existing 93,000 cbm very large gas carrier (VLGC) design, which the yard says was substantially reworked to accommodate the specific physical and chemical properties of liquid ammonia as cargo.

According to Jiangnan, the development process presented a range of engineering challenges. Liquid ammonia’s higher density compared with conventional liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargoes such as propane and butane required a stronger tank structure, while its corrosive properties imposed limits on material yield strength. The yard says its R&D team addressed these competing demands through structural lightweighting and coordinated design work, enabling the four cargo tanks to be hoisted as complete units.

In terms of propulsion, the vessel is fitted with an LPG dual-fuel main engine and a shaft-driven generator. Jiangnan notes this configuration can reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 20% and sulphur oxide emissions by approximately 99% compared with conventional arrangements, and that the vessel meets the requirements of EEDI Phase III. The design incorporates provisions for a future upgrade to an ammonia-fuelled main engine.

On hull performance, Jiangnan says the PANDA 93A incorporates resistance and wake optimisation technology developed for medium- and high-speed, large-coefficient hull forms, along with wave-damping and seakeeping hull patent technology applied in combination with propeller-mounted energy-saving devices.

The construction process involved completing the drying and inerting of the cargo tanks alongside the commissioning of all liquefied cargo gasification equipment within 12 days, with gas bunkering completed on 30 April ahead of delivery.