The delivery of GAS BAUHINIA completes Jiangnan Shipyard’s 99,000 cu m very large ethane carrier series, highlighting China’s capabilities in advanced gas carrier construction and proprietary cargo containment technology.

Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), officially delivered the 99,000 cu m very large ethane carrier (VLEC) GAS BAUHINIA to Southwest Maritime on 10 November 2026, marking the completion of the shipbuilder’s 99,000 cu m VLEC series for the Chinese shipowner.

The vessel represents another milestone in Jiangnan Shipyard’s development of large gas carriers, combining its proprietary BrillianceE® Type B cargo containment system with an ethane dual-fuel main engine, a shaft generator and multiple energy-saving technologies.

At 230 metres in length, the vessel is designed to transport ethane, ethylene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), offering flexibility across several segments of the liquefied industrial gas and energy transportation markets.

Proprietary Type B Cargo Containment System

A key feature of the vessel is Jiangnan Shipyard’s independently developed BrillianceE® Type B cargo containment system. Type B tanks are designed to manage cargo-related thermal and structural stresses while reducing the need for restrictions on partial loading, offering operational flexibility for gas carriers.

According to the shipbuilder, the 99,000 cu m design is intended primarily for long-distance ethane transportation from the United States, while also maintaining compatibility with major LPG terminals worldwide.

The vessel can carry multiple types of liquefied gases, including ethane, ethylene and LPG. This flexibility allows operators to serve different industrial gas supply chains and cargo markets, rather than relying exclusively on a single commodity.

The design also incorporates several operational efficiency features, including lower fuel and gas consumption, a reduced boil-off rate (BOR), no liquid-level loading restrictions and lower maintenance requirements.

Ethane Dual-Fuel Propulsion and Energy-Saving Technologies

GAS BAUHINIA is equipped with an ethane dual-fuel main engine, making use of the vessel's cargo-related fuel capabilities as part of its propulsion strategy.

The vessel also features a shaft generator and multiple energy-saving systems. Together, these technologies are intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce the vessel's operating fuel consumption.

The combination of a proprietary cargo containment system, dual-fuel propulsion and integrated energy-saving equipment reflects the increasing technological complexity of modern VLECs.

For shipbuilders, the challenge is not simply to increase cargo capacity, but to integrate containment technology, propulsion, cargo handling and energy management into a commercially viable vessel.

38 Days from Dock-out to Sea Trials

Beyond the vessel's technical specifications, its construction performance is another notable aspect of the project.

Jiangnan Shipyard said the construction team reduced the period between dock-out and the commencement of sea trials to just 38 days, the shortest cycle achieved within the series.

Compared with previous vessels in the same series, several key construction indicators also improved:

The improvements were attributed to more detailed construction planning, tighter process control and better coordination between different production teams.

The shipyard also introduced an integrated management approach combining area-based commissioning with consolidated inspection and acceptance procedures. Coordination with maritime authorities was another part of the effort to facilitate the sea-trial programme.

The project team said the experience had helped establish a set of construction management practices that could be replicated across subsequent projects.

Implications for China's Large Gas Carrier Industry

The delivery of GAS BAUHINIA is significant in two respects.

First, it demonstrates Jiangnan Shipyard's ability to develop and build large ethane carriers around its own cargo containment technology. Cargo containment systems are among the most technically demanding components of gas carriers, directly affecting vessel design, cargo capacity, operational flexibility and construction complexity.

Second, the improvements achieved during the construction of the final vessel suggest that series production can deliver benefits beyond standardisation of vessel design. Better coordination, more efficient commissioning and improved quality control can help shipyards shorten construction cycles and improve the predictability of delivery schedules.

As international demand for ethane, LPG and other industrial gases continues to underpin seaborne energy and petrochemical trade, the ability to build specialised gas carriers efficiently will remain an important competitive factor for shipbuilders.

With GAS BAUHINIA now delivered, Jiangnan Shipyard has completed Southwest Maritime's 99,000 cu m VLEC series, adding another reference project to China's growing portfolio of advanced gas carrier construction.