UK-based shipowner Purus Marine and South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a contract for the construction of a 98,000 m3 Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), with a total order value of about 230 billion won (about $172 million).
Back in November 2023, Purus Marine had ordered two 98,000 m3 VLECs from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with an order value of US$340 million (approx. 444 billion won), at a price of US$170 million per unit, which was the highest price for a VLEC at the time.
The latest VLEC ordered is 230 metres long, 36.5 metres wide and 22.8 metres high, classified by BV, and will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard. Designed for minus 94 degrees Celsius, the VLEC is scheduled to be delivered to the owner in March 2027, and will be capable of transporting a wide range of cargoes such as ethane and LPG.
Together with the latest order, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has taken orders for 33 new vessels worth US$3.17 billion this year, achieving 25.4 % of its annual order target of US$13.5 billion.
By vessel type, it includes 2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, 15 product tankers, 15 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia carriers, and 1 VLEC.
