Maersk Takes Delivery Of First-Ever 93,000-Cbm Very Large Ammonia Carrier

HD Hyundai Samho has delivered its first-ever Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC), the 93,000-cubic-meter Jane Maersk, to Danish shipping company Maersk, marking the shipbuilder’s entry into the growing ammonia carrier market.

The vessel is the first of five VLACs ordered by Maersk in November 2023. Designed to transport both liquefied ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the remaining four vessels are scheduled for delivery by September 2028.

The delivery is the first VLAC completed by HD Hyundai Samho since the company’s founding. It also adds to the company’s presence in the market for next-generation gas carriers, as ammonia requires more advanced handling and safety systems than conventional LPG cargoes.

Jane Maersk is 221 meters long, 36.5 meters wide and 23.6 meters high. Because ammonia is more corrosive and toxic than LPG and has a higher density, the vessel is fitted with systems designed specifically for ammonia transport.

Among them is a dedicated High Level Alarm that operates only during ammonia loading. According to HD Hyundai Samho, the system helps reduce the risk of misloading while easing the operator’s workload.

The company said it has secured nine VLAC orders this year, taking its total backlog for the vessel type to 22 ships worth $2.55 billion.

Across all ship types, HD Hyundai Samho has won orders for 30 vessels worth $4.08 billion so far this year, achieving 83.2% of its annual order target of $4.9 billion.

The delivery of Jane Maersk is the first in Maersk’s five-vessel order placed in November 2023, with the remaining vessels due to be delivered in phases through September 2028.

Reference: HD Hyundai Samho