- AW Shipping, a joint venture of ADNOC L&S and Wanhua Chemical Group, has received Gas Yongjiang, the first of nine advanced Very Large Ethane Carriers.
- The new fleet, purpose-built for ethane transport, will strengthen supply to high-growth Asian markets and support lower-carbon energy shipping.
- Jiangnan Shipyard delivered both Gas Yongjiang and Al Reef, the third of six LNG carriers, showcasing its focus on intelligent and energy-efficient vessel design.
- The delivery ceremony also marked a milestone in diversity, with Sharifa Al Mulla becoming the first Emirati female officer to serve aboard the ADNOC L&S commercial fleet.
AW Shipping, a joint venture between ADNOC Logistics and Services and Wanhua Chemical Group, has taken delivery of Gas Yongjiang, its first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) from Jiangnan Shipyard. The vessel begins a 20-year charter contract, with eight more VLECs scheduled for delivery by 2027. As reported by ADNOC L&S, the full fleet will position AW Shipping among the world’s largest VLEC operators.
Expansion of AW Shipping’s Fleet and Strategic Partnerships
The delivery of Gas Yongjiang marks a key milestone in AW Shipping’s entry into the global ethane shipping market. Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chairman of AW Shipping and CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S), highlighted that the nine new Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) are purpose-built to transport ethane, a vital feedstock for the petrochemical industry.
Kou Guangwu, President and CEO of Wanhua Chemical Group, noted that the partnership, which began in 2018, has expanded from raw material supply to a broad scope of services, including shipping operations. He reaffirmed that both companies are committed to advancing high-value chemical projects and achieving shared growth through strategic cooperation.
Lin Ou, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard, underlined that the delivery of Gas Yongjiang and Al Reef reflects the shipyard’s focus on intelligent, high-value, and energy-efficient vessel construction. Designed with an optimized hull and energy-saving technologies, Gas Yongjiang is among the world’s largest ethane carriers with a capacity of 98,000 cubic meters. These features enable reduced emissions and support sustainable growth.
Senior executives from ADNOC L&S, Wanhua Chemical Group, and Jiangnan Shipyard attended the naming and delivery ceremony of both vessels. Sharifa Al Mulla, the ceremonial sponsor, made history as the first Emirati female officer to serve aboard the ADNOC L&S commercial shipping fleet, underscoring the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the maritime industry.
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Source: ADNOC L&S
