The new supersized ships have 50% more capacity than existing Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC), and at 150,000m3, are a world first of this size.
The ships, being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in China, will be fitted with cascade reliquefication plants to manage the Boil Off Gas (BOG), with the contract signalling a continued wave of demand for the company's globally sought technology in a buoyant market for the transportation of liquefied gas.
Neale Campbell, Managing Director of Babcock’s LGE business, said: “The development of these ships is a milestone moment as the industry enters the new era of Ultra Large Ethane Carriers.
“We are proud that our leading-edge technology is an intrinsic part of these game changing vessels, with an integrated reliquefication system and fuel gas supply system providing fuel to the ship’s main engine – helping to support a net-zero future.”
The integrated system comprises of LGE’s SuperCooler and ecoETHN technologies – both part of LGE’s intellectual property portfolio. SuperCooler improves plant efficiency by increasing reliquefication capacity whilst reducing energy consumption, while ecoETHN integrates the reliquefication plant with the fuel gas supply system, utilising methane-rich Boil Off Gas as fuel for main engine and auxiliary power generators.
The LGE business saw a record order intake of more than £300 million in the first half of 2024, with 63 contracts from international shipyard customers driven by major LNG projects in the Middle East and growing demand in China.
Ongoing technology development by LGE this year has already achieved eight patent applications, two patents granted and eleven trademarks granted across the portfolio range including for LNG, Ammonia and CO2. Sales have also been strong across Babcock's technology rich portfolio, including the ecoSMRT for LNG reliquefaction, ecoETHN for Ethane Cargo Handling Systems and 18 Ammonia ship Cargo Handling Systems.
The success of the LGE business was also formally recognised by the award of a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.
