On November 10, CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard officially signed the delivery documents for the 99,000 m³ Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) “GAS BAUHINIA,” built for Southwest Shipping. The vessel is the final vessel in Southwest Shipping’s 99K VLEC series.
Designed and built by Jiangnan Shipyard, the 99,000 m³ VLEC features the B-type cargo containment system (BrillianceE®) developed by Jiangnan; its comprehensive technical specifications have been certified as being at the international leading level.
With an overall length of 230 meters, this vessel is designed for the transport of various liquefied industrial and energy gases, including ethane, ethylene, and LPG. It is an optimally “tailor-made” solution for the long-haul transport of ethane from the United States, while also offering broad compatibility with major LPG terminals worldwide.
The vessel boasts significant economic advantages, characterized by low fuel (or gas) consumption, a minimal boil-off rate (BOR), no restrictions on liquid cargo levels, and low maintenance costs. It is the first of its kind to be equipped with ethane-fueled dual-fuel main engines, shaft generators, and an array of energy-saving systems, spearheading the transition toward “low-carbon” development for high-end vessels within the shipbuilding industry.