Construction Officially Commences on China's First 25,000 m³ Ammonia Dual-Fuel LPG/Liquid Ammonia Carrier

On June 13, 2025, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Huangpu Wenchong"), a subsidiary of CSSC Group, joined hands with Tianjin Southwest Marine Shipping Co., Ltd. and relevant units such as the China Classification Society (CCS) to hold a commencement ceremony for the first domestically built 25,000 cubic meter ammonia dual-fuel LPG/liquid ammonia carrier in China, marking the official entry of the project into the production and construction phase.

A total of three ships are planned to be built in this series. The construction contracts were signed in May 2024. This project is a key cooperation project between Huangpu Wenchong and Southwest Marine Shipping in the field of green shipping. Upon completion, the ship will be China's first LPG/liquid ammonia carrier powered by dual-fuel (ammonia and traditional fuel oil), and also the first ammonia dual-fuel LPG/liquid ammonia carrier classified by CCS.

Compared with the current mainstream LNG dual-fuel ships, the use of ammonia fuel can reduce full life cycle carbon emissions by 61% in specific scenarios, directly contributing to the realization of the IMO's 2050 "net-zero emissions" target. The decision to develop ammonia dual-fuel LPG/liquid ammonia carriers is a crucial step for China's shipbuilding industry to respond to the "dual carbon" goals and seize the commanding heights of green shipping. At the same time, it further accelerates the green and low-carbon transformation process of Southwest Marine Shipping.

This type of ship is designed by Shanghai Ship and Marine Research Institute of CSSC Group. It has a length of 159.9 meters, a breadth of 26.5 meters, and a depth of 16.17 meters. It is equipped with three Type A liquid cargo tanks and two deck tanks, with a design temperature of minus 50 degrees Celsius. It can simultaneously load two types of cargo and has ammonia bunkering ready functionality. It meets the requirements of CCS ice class B, T-III, and EEDI-III phase. It is equipped with an ammonia dual-fuel main engine and an ammonia fuel gas supply system, providing customers with more operational options and strong market competitiveness. It is an advanced liquid ammonia carrier both domestically and globally.

The smooth commencement of this project is another milestone in the decade-long friendly cooperation between Huangpu Wenchong and Southwest Marine Shipping. Since 2014, the two parties have continuously collaborated on five projects, totaling 15 ships. From the world's smallest cylinder diameter LNG dual-fuel main engine for the 9,500 cubic meter gas carrier to the ammonia dual-fuel main engine and gas supply system for the current 25,000 cubic meter ship, the two parties have jointly left deep green tracks for zero-carbon solutions step by step.

Currently, Huangpu Wenchong has 16 gas carrier orders in hand (including 60,000 cubic meter dual-fuel LPG/NH? carriers, 48,000 cubic meter LPG/NH? carriers, 41,000 cubic meter dual-fuel LPG/NH? carriers, 25,000 cubic meter dual-fuel LPG/NH? carriers, and 20,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering vessels). It has formed technological independence and industrial chain synergy advantages in the field of small and medium-sized gas carriers. Huangpu Wenchong will continue to deeply cultivate the market for new energy ship types such as ammonia fuel, LNG, and methanol fuel based on market trends and customer needs, contributing to the high-quality and low-carbon development of the shipbuilding industry.