Wärtsilä Gas Solutions has secured a contract to supply cargo handling systems for two Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC) vessels currently under construction at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea.
Wärtsilä confirmed that the order was booked in Q2 2025, adding to the company’s growing portfolio in gas carrier system technologies.
The 88,000 cubic metres capacity vessels have been commissioned by a Japanese ship owner.
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VLACs are a specific type of Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), designed to transport ammonia in bulk. Given ammonia’s relatively high specific gravity, the vessels’ cargo tanks and hull structures require reinforcement.
When fully laden, VLACs typically operate with a deeper draught than standard VLGCs.
“We have good experience with Wärtsilä’s cargo handling systems,” commented Mr Lee, Leader of the Basic Design Team at Hanwha Ocean Co.
“Their support and quick reaction to our needs have always been much appreciated, and their systems are perfectly designed for these two VLACs.”
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in Q4 2025.
Wärtsilä is advancing its efforts in ammonia-based maritime transport, such as its recent introduction of NextDF technology for a third engine model, the Wärtsilä 46TS-DF dual-fuel engine.
While operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Wärtsilä 46TS-DF engine with NextDF feature reduces methane emissions to less than 1.4 per cent of fuel use across all load points, achieving as low as 1.1 per cent in a wide load range.
