Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 18, AW Shipping, a joint venture between ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) and Wanhua Chemical Group, has taken delivery of Gas Yongjiang, the first of nine very large ethane carriers (VLECs) from Jiangnan Shipyard in China on August 14, 2025. With a capacity of 98,000 cubic meters, the vessel features energy-efficient dual-fuel engines and is set to operate under a 20-year time charter agreement. The remaining eight VLECs are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2027.

The Gas Yongjiang delivery marks a significant step in AW Shipping’s expansion into the global ethane shipping market. The fleet, once fully operational, is expected to generate approximately $4 billion in revenue through long-term contracts spanning 180 years. The vessels are designed to meet the growing demand for ethane, a key resource for the petrochemical industry, particularly in Asian markets.

In addition to the VLEC, ADNOC L&S received Al Reef, the third of six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from Jiangnan Shipyard. The first two LNG carriers, Al Shelila and Al Rahba, were delivered in November 2024 and May 2025, respectively. These deliveries reflect ADNOC L&S’s commitment to modernizing its gas fleet to support global energy demands.

Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chairman of AW Shipping and CEO of ADNOC L&S, stated: “The delivery of Gas Yongjiang, the first VLEC to join the AW Shipping fleet, marks a significant milestone in our fleet expansion and entry into the global ethane shipping market. These nine vessels, purpose-built to transport ethane, a critical feedstock for the global petrochemical industry, will boost our capacity to meet growing demand, particularly in fast-growing Asian markets and reinforce our leadership in lower-carbon energy transport.”

In July 2024, AW Shipping awarded contracts worth $1.9 billion to Jiangnan Shipyard for the construction of nine VLECs and two very large ammonia carriers (VLACs), each with a capacity of 93,000 cubic meters. The VLACs, among the largest of their kind, began construction in April 2025. Established in 2020, AW Shipping continues to strengthen its role in providing sustainable energy transport solutions through strategic investments and advanced vessel designs.