Wärtsilä to Provide Gas Handling System for World's Largest Ethane Carriers

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday October 14, 2014

Finland-based Wärtsilä Corporation will provide gas handling systems for the six very large ethane carriers (VLEC) that are being billed as the world's largest ethane carriers ever built, the company has announced. 

The VLECs have a capacity of 87,000 cubic metres and are currently being built by Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. 

Wärtsilä said that the vessels would represent a "new generation" of ships built for transporting ethane as feed stock to the petrochemical industry.

"This is a valuable order and one that again emphasizes Wärtsilä's competences and experience in gas handling systems," said Timo Koponen, Vice-president of flow and gas solutions at Wärtsilä Ship Power.

The carriers are being built for India-based Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and will ship shale gas from the U.S. to India to be used in making plastic.

"Our technology and know-how in this field uniquely positions us to offer the most appropriate solutions for VLEC's, which is an application that is rapidly expanding," Koponen said.

The company said that it expected the number of VLECs to increase significantly during the coming years, especially as the "shale gas revolution" in the U.S. continues to up demand for shipping services.

The systems are scheduled for delivery in 2016, with the contract including options for additional ships in the future.

Wärtsilä also announced last month that it had launched new upgraded versions of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling system and gas valve unit. 

Ship & Bunker News Team
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