KR, HD Hyundai Heavy join forces on 100,000+ cbm ethane carrier

KR, the Korean Register, has partnered with fellow South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to collaborate on the development of a very large ethane carrier (VLEC) with a cargo capacity exceeding 100,000 cubic meters. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed during a maritime event in Oslo on June 3, 2025. The VLEC will be designed to maximize cargo volume while minimizing changes to traditional vessel designs, allowing for the transportation of various cargoes such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propylene. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will lead the vessel’s basic and hull design, while KR will oversee safety and regulatory compliance to grant an approval in principle (AiP). The aim is to showcase technological leadership in the global ethane transportation market and provide a sustainable solution that improves profitability and environmental performance for customers. Ethane carriers are specialized vessels designed to transport liquefied ethane at extremely low temperatures, necessitating advanced engineering capabilities. Additionally, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries recently secured an order to build two dual-fuel very large ethane carriers (VLECs) for MISC Berhad, a Malaysian energy-related maritime solutions provider. Once completed, these VLECs will be among the largest of their kind globally.