Danish based Maersk Tankers has via an affiliated company today confirmed that an order for up to ten very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) has been placed with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Korea.
Furthermore, Maersk Tankers mentions that Japanese based trading and investment group Mitsui & Co., Ltd. will join as a co-investor in the first four vessels.
The newbuilds of 93,000 cbm with American Bureau of Shipping class will be among the largest ammonia carriers in operation, as the company states, and they are capable of carrying a full cargo of ammonia.
The first four firm VLACs are due to be delivered from late 2026 onwards, and the contract includes options for an additional six vessels. The vessels will be operated by Maersk Tankers after their delivery.
Clean hydrogen and clean ammonia, seems to become vital commodities during the transition to clean energy and Maersk Tankers sets out to offer seaborne transportation of clean ammonia with its close to 100-year experience of operating tanker and gas vessels.
“Concrete actions are needed for the tanker industry to progress the energy transition, and in Maersk Tankers, we want to play our part in making transportation of clean energy a reality. We are building on our legacy of operating gas carriers to offer a crucial transportation service that will aid the transition. With this initiative, we will be able to service clean ammonia producers and users in many parts of the world with highly energy efficient and safe ships,” said Tina Revsbeck, CEO of Maersk Tankers.
“We are very pleased to be a part of this initiative with our partner, Maersk Tankers. Mitsui will leverage its expertise and experience in the shipping industry as well as in energy and chemicals to accelerate the transportation of ammonia which we see as one of the promising options for sources of next generation energy. Through this project and other initiatives, Mitsui will contribute to the realization of a carbon neutral society,” said Kensuke Kubota, General Manager of the Marine Solution Business Div. at Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
