Eastern Pacific Shipping has taken delivery of the Lilac Cove, a 93,000 m³ Very Large Ammonia Carrier, from Jiangnan Shipyard in China. The vessel was delivered on 23 Sep 2026 and is the second of six VLACs ordered by the company from the shipbuilder. The Lilac Cove follows the first vessel in the series, the Ivy Cove, which was delivered in June 2026. Both ships are built to carry ammonia or liquefied petroleum gas, including propane and butane, giving the operator flexibility across cargo types. The vessels are powered by dual-fuel main engines capable of running on LPG as well as conventional marine fuel, positioning them to serve as a bridge between traditional gas carriers and emerging ammonia trades. According to TrustedDocks orderbook data, the order for the series was placed in July 2024, with the Lilac Cove having a deadweight of 86,000 tonnes. The delivery comes amid growing interest in LPG and ammonia as marine fuels and cargo options. According to classification society DNV, the global fleet currently includes 179 LPG-fuelled vessels, with roughly 160 more on order for delivery by 2030. Eastern Pacific Shipping's remaining four VLACs from the Jiangnan-built series are expected to follow in stages, expanding the company's presence in the gas carrier segment as demand for ammonia transport infrastructure develops alongside decarbonisation efforts in shipping and energy markets.