HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (KSOE) announced that it has recently signed a shipbuilding contract for two very large-scale ethane carriers (VLEC) with an Asian shipping company. The total amount is $340 million.
In particular, these VLECs are 230 meters in length, 36.5 meters in width, and 22.8 meters in height. They will be delivered to the shipowner by the first half of 2027 after being constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in Ulsan, South Korea.
As informed, ethane carriers liquefy ethane, maintaining the cargo hold’s temperature at a stable -94 degrees Celsius while transporting it. Similar to LNG carriers, these vessels require advanced shipbuilding technology and expertise, making them high-value ships.
HD KSOE Korea has secured a staggering total of 71 gas carrier orders this year, which includes their latest order. In a recent report, it has been revealed that the breakdown of vessels by type is as follows: there are a total of 39 LNG carriers, 28 LPG and ammonia carriers, two liquefied carbon dioxide carriers, and two ethane carriers. These findings shed light on the current distribution of vessels in the industry.