Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has been placed behind a shipbuilding deal for three very large ethane carriers (VLECs) in South Korea.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) the yard holding company HD Hyundai Heavy Industries yard in Ulsan said it had won an order to build three 98,000 cu m vessels for around $167m each.
The ships, which brokers link to MOL, are expected to deliver in the first half of 2027 backed by an unnamed charterer.
In related news, China’s Pacific Gas recently booked 99,000 cu m units at Jiangnan Shipyard for delivery in 2027. UK-based owner Purus Marine ordered two 98,000 cu m VLECs at HD Hyundai Heavy in November for delivery in 2026 and 2027 at $170m each.
