MISC Berhad (MISC) has taken delivery of Seri Erlang, its second Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in Geoje, South Korea. Purchased by MISC in July 2020, this VLEC is the second of the six contracted VLECs, purpose-built for long- term charter to Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (STL).

Seri Erlang will join her sister vessel – Seri Everest to safely transport ethane from U.S to China to support STL’s ethane cracker facility in China. Both VLECs are managed by MISC’s shipmanagement arm, Eaglestar Shipmanagement Gas (S) Pte. Ltd.

Mr. Yee Yang Chien, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MISC said, “We are pleased indeed to make a brilliant start at the very beginning of 2021 with the safe delivery of Seri Erlang. My sincere appreciation for the commitment and seamless collaboration of all parties involved in the delivery of MISC’s second VLEC. This shared success is premised on our strategy to support the expanding ethane market requirements. We look forward to the delivery of the remaining four (4) VLECs as we progress into 2021. Commencing the year on strong tailwinds, we remain positive for favourable developments in the industry and more opportunities in Asia, which has now become a vital demand centre for the ethane market.”

With more than 98,000 cbm of total cargo capacity, Seri Erlang is equipped with a highly efficient reliquefaction unit and a unique high-pressure ethane fuel supply system. The newbuild is powered by a MAN B&W 7G60ME-C9.5-GIE Gas Injection Ethane engine, complemented with the latest Pump Vaporiser Unit (PVU), making her one of the very few vessels in the world with ethane burning capability.

Built with a cargo containment system for dual cargo loading, Seri Erlang is also delivered with LNG Ready notation by ABS where the VLEC can be upgraded to trade liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes in the future.

Seri Erlang and Seri Everest will be joined by their four sisters to be delivered throughout the first half of this year. Upon delivery of all the VLECs, MISC will be the largest transporter of ethane in the world. Seri Everest which is currently the largest operating VLEC in the market was recently recognised as one of the ‘Great Ships of 2020’ in the Maritime Reporter and Engineering News.