Working Conditions Aboard the Ethane-Crystal

The Ethane Crystal, recognized as the world's premier Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) and honored as a "Great Ship of 2016" by Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, has successfully completed its inaugural loading of ethane. This significant event took place at Enterprise Products Partner’s Morgan's Point Terminal. Launched in November 2016, the Ethane Crystal marks a groundbreaking achievement as the first of six ABS-classed VLECs scheduled for delivery through 2017. Following closely, the Ethane Emerald joined the fleet in early December 2016. Designed for efficiency, the Ethane Crystal is equipped to transport various liquefied gases, including ethane and liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), boasting an impressive cargo capacity of 87,000 cbm. It also features the innovative GTT Mark III membrane cargo containment system, setting a new standard in the maritime industry.

In a groundbreaking achievement for the maritime industry, ABS has announced the successful delivery of the Ethane Crystal, marking the debut of the world’s first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC). This remarkable vessel, built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea, has been delivered to Reliance Industries Ltd., based in India. The Ethane Crystal is the inaugural ship in a series of six VLECs that will be classed by ABS, with all expected to be delivered by 2017. This cutting-edge liquefied gas carrier is uniquely equipped to transport ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), boasting an impressive cargo capacity of 87,000 cubic meters. Notably, it is the first vessel of its kind to utilize the innovative GTT Mark III membrane cargo containment system. The Ethane Crystal signifies a remarkable advancement in design and capacity compared to the previous largest ethane carriers, the 37,000 cbm ABS-classed Navigator Aurora and Navigator Eclipse. Moreover, the VLEC's size is equivalent to that of contemporary Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC), paving the way for more efficient operations and enhancing the economic viability of large-scale ethane shipping.

Reliance Industries, India's leading private sector enterprise, has celebrated the inauguration of the globe's inaugural Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. This momentous event marks the launch of two innovative vessels—Ethane Crystal and Ethane Emerald—part of a total order of six VLECs placed by Reliance in 2014, driven by the surge in natural gas production in the United States. Designed to facilitate the transportation of liquid ethane from the U.S. to Indian shores, these vessels are cutting-edge, incorporating advanced membrane technology developed by French company GTT, which is crucial for the project's success. Each ship boasts an impressive capacity of 87,000 m³, setting a new record as the largest ethane carriers ever constructed.