Vietnamese shipowner Asia Pacific Shipping (ASP) has bolstered its orderbook with a pair of midsize gas carriers in China.

The Hanoi-headquartered outfit has commissioned China’s Jiangnan Shipyard to build two 50，500 cum ships that can carry a variety of petrochemical products such as liquefied petroleum gas and liquid ammonia.

Established in 2021 ASP operates a diversified fleet， including three LPG vessels. The company’s first order in the gas shipping segment follows deals for chemical and product tanker newbuilds sealed earlier this year.

Other owners， such as Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping and Kuwait-based Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company (AMPTC) have also emerged with gas carrier orders this month. Idan Ofer’s EPS has signed up for four 60，000 cu m newbuilds at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong for about $85m each with delivery set for 2027 and 2028， while AMPTC booked a pair of 45，000 cu m vessels at Hyundai Mipo in South Korea， paying close to $80m per ship.