On October 10, Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), signed the delivery document for the second vessel in its series of Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) built for AW Shipping—a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Wanhua Chemical. The vessel has been named “GAS MINJIANG”.
This vessel type belongs to the PANDA® 98E series independently developed and designed by Jiangnan Shipyard, featuring its core cryogenic cargo containment system—the BrillianceE® Type B cargo hold, which represents an independently developed innovation.
This type of vessel, with an overall length of 230 meters and a beam of 36.6 meters, is suitable for transporting various liquefied gases, including ethane, ethylene, and LPG. It features low fuel (gas) consumption, a low boil-off rate (BOR), no liquid loading restrictions, and low maintenance costs. It is the optimal vessel type tailor-made for long-distance ethane transportation, delivering significant economic and social benefits.
This vessel has won the Special Prize for Science and Technology, the highest award in the shipbuilding industry. It features “leading design, advanced technology, environmental friendliness, high energy efficiency, a comfortable environment, and intelligent management”.
It is reported that since AW Shipping ordered five VLGCs from Jiangnan Shipyard in 2020, followed by four VLACs and nine VLECs in 2024, the increasing number of collaborations reflects its deepening trust in Jiangnan Shipyard. By consistently delivering high-quality vessels, Jiangnan Shipyard is expanding the owner’s long-distance ethane transportation capacity, supporting its future strategic growth.