UK-based shipowner Purus has expanded its orders for very large ethane carriers, or VLECs, by inking an order for a single ship at Hyundai Heavy Industries, in South Korea.
Purus said on Monday that it has ordered an additional 98,000 cbm VLEC from Hyundai Heavy Industries, lifting its total number of newbuildings to three.
The vessel will also feature dual-fuel ethane engines and optimized cargo handling systems, enabling lower CO2 and SOx emissions. Additional energy-saving devices will further contribute to emission reductions.
The vessel will deliver in 2027 directly into a long-term time charter.
The shipowner ordered last year two 98,000 cbm very large ethane carriers (VLEC) from Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
Both vessels shall be delivered directly into long-term time charters, as Purus highlights.
DNV has been selected to class the two very large ethane carriers (VLEC). Once delivered, the VLECs will transport ethane on long-haul trade routes from the United States to Europe and Asia.
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 optimized cargo handling systems to reduce emissions and will also be EEDI phase III compliant.
The company is continuing its remarkable expanding spree by ordering more ships.
As Shipping Telegraph reported last year, the company ordered four 45,000 cbm medium-sized gas carriers from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. These new vessels are expected to primarily carry ammonia.
The vessels, which will delivered by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in 2025 and 2026, will be dual fuel ammonia-ready and fitted with shaft generators and scrubbers.
