VESSEL REVIEW | Terra Clove – Ammonia dual-fuel VLAC for Eastern Pacific Shipping

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has formally named the initial vessel in a pair of ammonia dual-fuel very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) being built by South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Terra Clove has been described as the world's first ammonia dual-fuel VLAC. The gas carrier has an LOA of 230 metres (750 feet), a beam of 36.5 metres (120 feet), and a depth of 23.6 metres (77.4 feet). Her deadweight is 65,885 and her gross tonnage is 54,008.

A total cargo capacity of 93,000 cubic metres (20 million gallons) is divided among four tanks designed and manufactured by HHI. The tanks can carry either liquefied ammonia or LPG.

Propulsion is provided by an Everllence B&W 6G60ME-C10.5-LGIA two-stroke, six-cylinder main engine that can run on either diesel or ammonia. The engine has a rated output of 17,040 kW (22,850 hp).

Fitted with enhanced ammonia safety systems

The ammonia-specific systems include double-walled fuel piping with continuous ventilation that will carry any leakage to an absorber. Double-block-and-bleed valve trains isolate the fuel system, and nitrogen is used for pressure testing, purging and gas-freeing.

If a leak is detected, the system automatically stops ammonia operation and purges the lines with nitrogen. A knockout drum and a water-based catch system recover the liquid and the vapour after depressurisation.

"Because ammonia is toxic, we've introduced multiple safety layers, including leak detection, ventilation, purging systems, and failsafe controls," said Seongwoo Choi, head of two-stroke engine design at HHI's engine business.

A high-pressure selective catalytic reduction system is installed upstream of the turbocharger. Everllence said the system is designed to remove as much as 95 per cent of NOx produced during combustion.

HHI said the ship also has real-time ammonia leak detection, an ammonia release reduction system, SOx reduction equipment, and a shaft generator.

Proven hull design combined with ammonia propulsion

The project that led to the introduction of Terra Clove began in June 2022, when EPS, HHI, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore started work on an ammonia-fuelled gas carrier. Everllence joined when the partnership was formalised in September 2023, and HHI received the order for the two sister vessels that same year.

Terra Clove has the same principal dimensions and cargo capacity as Maersk Tankers' Jane Maersk, though that ship has diesel propulsion with provision for later conversion to ammonia fuel.

On October 25–26, 2026, Terra Clove loaded 800 tonnes of renewable-energy-based ammonia at berth number two of Ulsan Main Port. LOTTE Fine Chemical supplied the ammonia, which was produced by Envision Energy, for the vessel's ammonia-burning trials.

The Ulsan Port Authority described the operation as South Korea's first commercial-based ammonia marine-fuel supply demonstration.