MOL to Soon Ship US Ethane for Reliance

Mitsui OSK Lines will soon begin transporting ethane, derived from shale gas, from US to Reliance Industries in India under a long-term contract it signed with the Indian firm.

The Japanese firm announced November 10 the delivery of the new very large ethane carrier (VLEC), Ethane Crystal, with capacity of little over 87,000 m³, by Samsung Heavy Industries, for Reliance on November 9. Ethane Crystal is the first VLEC from a series of six that were ordered by Reliance at SHI in July 2014. MOL will operate and manage all the six vessels for Reliance. The remaining vessels will commence operations next year. Reliance will use ethane to produce ethylene.

According to MOL it will be the first shipping company in the world to operate such VLECs. “VLECs, being a hybrid of LNG carrier and LPG carrier, required the expertise in both the LNG carriers and LPG carriers,” MOL said.

 VLEC Ethane Crystal (Credit: MOL)

Shardul Sharma