The world’s largest ethane carrier has been delivered to India’s Reliance Industries Limited.

Built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea, classed by ABS and to be managed and operated by Tokyo-Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Ethane Crystal is the world’s first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC).

It is the first of six VLECs ordered by Reliance at SHI in July 2014 and is intended for trade routes between North America and India, carrying ethane that will be used as feedstock for petrochemical production.

Ethane Crystal represents a significant step up from the largest ethane carriers delivered to date – the 37,000 cbm ABS-classed Navigator Aurora and Navigator Eclipse. The VLEC is comparable in size to today’s Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) and makes large-scale ethane transportation more economically viable.

“Delivering the Ethane Crystal is truly a landmark achievement that has created an entirely new market of shipping liquefied ethane. It is a testament to all stakeholders involved in bringing the project to fruition,” said ABS chairman, president and ceo Christopher J. Wiernicki.

Interestingly, ABS classed the world’s first LNG carrier conversion, the Methane Pioneer, in 1959 as well as the first newbuild LNG carrier, Methane Princess, in 1964.

MOL was appointed by Reliance to undertake site supervision of new builds and is also to be the operator and the ship manager of the VLECs. The six new builds adopt GTT Mark III as a containment system which is unique for Ethane transportation, and are designed to cater to latest safety and environment regulations.

“MOL utilized its experience, know how, and network built over the years as one of the largest LNG carrier owners and operators and, significant experience as owners and operators of LPG carriers in order to obtain this business,” MOL said in a statement.

Demand for VLECs is driven by the surplus of ethane produced as a by-product of shale oil and gas in North America.

Source: seatrade-maritime.com