DNV has been selected to class ship owner - Purus’ new building order of two Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC).
The vessels have been contracted at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea and are scheduled for delivery in 2026-2027.
EEDI Phase III compliant
With a cargo carrying capacity of 98,000 cbm, the two VLECs will be fitted with GTT’s Mark III membrane containment system.
The vessels will be equipped with dual-fuel ethane engines and optimised cargo handling systems to reduce emissions and will also be EEDI Phase III compliant. Once delivered, the VLECs will transport ethane on long-haul trade routes from the United States to Europe and Asia.
Environmentally friendly vessels
We are honoured by Purus' confidence in selecting us for the technical supervision"
Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, the Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime at DNV said, “We are honoured by Purus' confidence in selecting us for the technical supervision and classification of their innovative new builds."
Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria adds, "Drawing on our decades of experience in gas carriers and maritime technology, DNV brings a distinct advantage to the development of environmentally friendly vessels that adhere to stringent industry standards.”
Greener future
Martin Cartwright, DNV’s Global Business Director, Gas Carriers & FSRUs, said, “This is an exciting time for DNV to enter the VLEC market, with the rising demand for ethylene and ethanol-blended petrol to reduce carbon emissions."
Martin Cartwright adds, "Our partnership with Purus and HHI underscores DNV’s dedication to fostering a greener and more efficient future for the maritime industry in line with the IMO’s emission targets.”
VLECs
VLECs are specialised vessels designed for the transportation of large volumes of ethane, a gas commonly used as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry.
They play a crucial role in the global energy and chemical supply chain, facilitating the transport of ethane from production sources to processing facilities or end-users.