Samsung Heavy Industries to Build Next-Gen Ethane Carriers for MOL Energia and SCGC

Samsung Heavy Industries has secured a landmark deal to construct five state-of-the-art Very

Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) for MOL Energia Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan’s Mitsui

O.S.K. Lines (MOL). The vessels will serve long-term charter contracts with SCG Chemicals

(SCGC), a major integrated petrochemical producer in Southeast Asia, with delivery dates

spanning from 2027 to 2028.

The agreement marks a strategic push by MOL Energia to expand its ethane transport

capabilities, supporting SCGC’s growing feedstock supply needs. The vessels will play a critical role in supplying ethane to SCGC’s Long Son Petrochemicals complex in Vietnam, a flagship project driving the country’s petrochemical ambitions.

Each vessel, designed with an ethane cargo capacity of 100,000 cubic meters, will be equipped with GTT Mark II membrane tanks and dual-fuel propulsion systems capable of running on both ethane and fuel oil. Measuring 230 meters in length and 36.6 meters in breadth, with an 11.9- meter draft, these VLECs are engineered for energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

According to MOL, the ethane-fueled engines will significantly reduce greenhouse gases, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides compared to conventional propulsion systems, aligning with global decarbonization efforts and ESG targets.

The initial contract for three vessels was announced in January 2025, followed by a second order for two additional ships in March. The full five-vessel fleet is expected to become a cornerstone in SCGC’s raw material logistics chain, enabling greater flexibility and competitiveness in its petrochemical operations across ASEAN markets.

“We are proud to collaborate with SCGC and Samsung on this transformative initiative,” a

spokesperson from MOL Energia stated. “These vessels represent our commitment to innovation, environmental performance, and long-term partnerships in the energy value chain.”

The project also reinforces Samsung Heavy Industries’ leadership in building next-generation

gas carriers, further solidifying South Korea’s role as a global shipbuilding powerhouse.

As the global petrochemical and shipping industries navigate new environmental and supply

chain challenges, this project demonstrates how strategic collaboration, advanced ship design, and sustainable technologies are reshaping the future of energy transport.