AEC Ordering 17 VLECs to Transport Ethane to Chinese Petchem Plants

摘要

Houston-American Ethane Co.(AEC)said it plans to order 17 very large ethane carriers(VLEC)to transport shale gas-derived ethane from the U.S.Gulf Coast to a number of petrochemical facilities in China.The carriers,which will be ordered from Chinese shipyards Hudong-Zhonghua and Jiangnan,will have 150,000 cu/m of capacity and are designed for long distance transportation.Both shipbuilders received approval in principle for VLEC designs earlier this year.As part of a long-term contract signed between AEC and China Merchants Group,the newbuilds will be contracted to supply the ethane to Nanshan Group,Ganergy Group and Yangquan Coal Group.The product will be delivered to new discharge terminals and gas crackers.Construction of the plants has not yet begun.