On January 15, Jiangnan Shipyard delivered the 99,000 m³ Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) “GAS VIOLET” to Southwest Shipping. The vessel was named on December 8, 2025.
The 99,000 m³ VLEC, independently developed and constructed by Jiangnan Shipyard, employs the shipyard’s proprietary BrillianceE® Type B Cargo Containment System. As the world’s largest-capacity VLEC, its comprehensive technical specifications have been certified as internationally leading.
This VLEC measures 230 meters in length and is designed for transporting various liquefied industrial and energy gases such as ethane, ethylene, and LPG. It represents the optimal vessel type specifically engineered for long-distance ethane transportation in the United States while maintaining universal compatibility with major LPG terminals worldwide. This vessel type offers significant economic benefits through low fuel consumption, minimal boil-off rate (BOR), no liquid level loading restrictions and low maintenance costs.
The vessel was laid keel on July 18 and launched on October 31. As the fourth vessel in the series and the second newbuild delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard in 2026. On January 8, Jiangnan Shipyard delivered the 99,000 m³ VLGC “PACIFIC INEOS BATTLEGROUND,” built for ABC Financial Leasing and Pacific Gas.