Chinese gas shipping player Tianjin Southwest Maritime has returned to CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding to order another ammonia-capable gas carrier.

The owner has signed for a 25，000 cu m ammonia dual-fuel LPG/liquid ammonia carrier at the Guangzhou-based yard.

The latest order follows a steady run of gas carrier deals placed by Tianjin Southwest in recent years.

It is reported earlier that the Chinese owner returned to Huangpu Wenchong in 2024 for additional LPG/ammonia carriers designed to move both cargo types on a single voyage， following initial 25，000 cum units at the yard. Those ships， around 41，000 cum in size， were linked to long-term charter employment with chemicals and fertiliser trader Trammo.

That programme included vessels scheduled for delivery through 2026 and 2027 and highlighted the owner’s push into ammonia-capable tonnage.

The company has also been scaling up into larger segments of the market. It is reported late last year that Tianjin Southwest ordered two 90，000 cu m very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) at Jiangnan Shipyard， each priced at about $114.5m and due for delivery in 2028. Those ships will feature dual-fuel propulsion and large cargo tanks designed for long-haul ammonia transport， a sector expected to expand as ammonia gains traction as both a fuel and a hydrogen carrier.

Tianjin Southwest has built a diversified gas carrier fleet over the years， operating vessels ranging from small LPG ships to VLGCs and ammonia carriers. Its customer base includes major energy and petrochemical players such as Sinopec， Shell， BP and ExxonMobil.