Breaking news from the maritime industry! Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has placed a landmark order with Jiangnan Shipyard for six 150,000 cubic meter Ultra Large Ethane Carriers (ULECs), the world’s largest and the first vessels of this type ever to be built.

The latest news disclosed by Jiangnan Shipyard reveals that this type of vessel is the newest generation of Ultra Large Ethane Carrier (ULEC) independently developed and designed by Jiangnan Shipyard. The Mark III membrane containment system from GTT of France, and the vessel is named after the state flower of Louisiana, "MAGNOLIA." This type of ship is designed to maximize cargo capacity by making the most of the conditions at U.S. ethane terminal waters. It is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and equipped with a cargo containment system capable of carrying ethane, ethylene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while also being LNG Ready.

As the demand for clean energy and long-haul trade routes from the US to Asia continues to rise, EPS is taking a bold step forward by investing in these innovative and sustainable vessels, reinforcing its position as a leader in the gas carrier market.

Jiangnan Shipyard’s pioneering ULEC design, known as the "Panda 150E," recently received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at the 29th Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Greece. These vessels are designed to berth at all major US ethane export terminals and transit the Panama Canal, making them a versatile and eco-friendly solution for future gas transport.