https://adnocls.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2024/adnoc_ls_joint-venture-awards-$250-million-shipbuilding-contracts-for-vlacs

AW Shipping, a joint venture between ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) and Wanhua Chemical Group, has strengthened its fleet of Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) by commissioning two additional vessels. The contracts, valued at $250 million (AED 918 million), were awarded to China's Jiangnan Shipyard, ADNOC L&S announced on October 10, 2024.

The shipbuilding contracts were signed during an event in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the inauguration of Jiangnan Shipyard’s first office in the Middle East. This follows an initial agreement signed in China in July 2024, which included contracts for two VLACs with an option for two more vessels.

Each of the new VLACs will have a capacity of 93,000 cubic meters, making them among the largest ammonia carriers in the world. These vessels are set to be delivered between 2027 and 2028 and will feature advanced dual-fuel engines capable of operating on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or conventional fuels, enhancing energy efficiency and supporting the shift towards lower-carbon energy sources.The expansion of AW Shipping’s fleet reflects the growing global demand for ammonia, a key component in cleaner energy solutions, as industries seek to reduce carbon emissions.