On November 18, COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Dalian) held the naming ceremony for the 9,000-cubic-meter multi-purpose ethylene carrier (N1214), M.V. XING SHENG YUAN, built for Dalian COSCO SHIPPING Energy Supply Chain. The vessel was officially delivered and commissioned.

Ethylene is a vital chemical raw material. Many common daily items, such as plastics, synthetic fibers, and rubber products, are made from it. However, ethylene is a gas at room temperature. To transport it, it must be cooled to its atmospheric boiling point (-104 °C) and liquefied, which imposes stringent requirements on the carrier.

M.V. XING SHENG YUAN (N1214) has a total length of 119.6 meters, molded beam of 19.8 meters, molded depth of 11.3 meters, a structural molded draft of 7.6m, and a design speed of 14.0 knots. As the first dual-fuel ethylene multi-purpose carrier built by COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry, this vessel is classified as a Type 2G semi-refrigerated semi-pressurized liquefied gas carrier as defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In essence, it acts as an “intelligent mobile cold chain vessel,” capable of simultaneously carrying two types of liquefied gas cargo, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied ethylene, and offering flexible solutions to meet customers’ diverse shipping needs.

The vessel is equipped with a LNG dual-fuel main engine, capable of operating on either conventional fuel or clean liquefied natural gas. It is also fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment system, ensuring its nitrogen oxide emissions comply with the most stringent international standards– truly living up to its reputation as both a “high-performer” and “eco-friendly” vessel. It has a range of approximately 7,000 nautical miles (about 20 days) in conventional fuel mode and about 4,000 nautical miles (about 12 days) in LNG mode. The total voyage distance can reach approximately 11,000 nautical miles, which is more than sufficient for a round trip from Shanghai to Dubai (approximately 10,000 nautical miles).

The addition of the M.V. XING SHENG YUAN to the fleet marks another crucial step for COSCO SHIPPING in the field of energy transportation, particularly in enhancing its competitiveness in the transportation of high-end gas and chemical products.

Throughout the project execution, COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Dalian) and Dalian COSCO SHIPPING Energy Supply Chain worked closely, successfully overcoming key technical challenges such as the hoisting of liquified cargo tanks and LNG bunkering, ensuring the project was completed to the highest quality standards.