Cargo handling and FSS contract for large Jiangnan VLEC series

The contract relates to an order for 15 Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) at Jiangnan Shipyard for shipowners Tianjin Southwest and Pacific Gas.

The repeat orders for Babcock LGE’s ecoETHN solution from Jiangnan follow the successful delivery and entry into service of the first four VLECs featuring Babcock LGE solutions. In all, these latest orders push the total number of ecoETHN contracts for Babcock’s LGE business to 27, all delivered in partnership with Jiangnan Shipyard in China, including the four vessels in operation.

The new vessels will be delivered between 2025 and 2026 and will service the growing demand for international long-haul ethane transportation. Tianjin Southwest will take delivery of nine, while Pacific Gas will take six.

Neale Campbell, Managing Director for Babcock’s LGE business, said: “What we do at Babcock’s LGE business matters more now than ever and it is an honour to work with our customers on our journey to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“Building on our recent success securing milestone contracts to deliver our novel ecoETHN technology and our cutting-edge ecoCO2 cargo handling system, both deliver enhanced efficiency and provides economic and environmental benefits throughout the lifetime of the ship.”