VESSEL REVIEW | Pacific Ineos Chocolate – Large ethane carrier to operate on global routes

Hong Kong-based shipping company Pacific Gas recently took delivery of a new very large ethane carrier (VLEC) built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Jiangnan Shipyard.

Pacific Ineos Chocolate belongs to a series of VLECs that also include the 2021-built Pacific Ineos Belstaff and the 2025-built Pacific Ineos Mio.

The newbuild will be operated under charter by Ineos Trading and Shipping, the oil, petrochemical and gas transport arm of UK-based shipping company the Ineos Group.

Can accommodate various types of liquefied gas cargo

Pacific Ineos Chocolate has an LOA of 230 metres (750 feet), a beam of 36.6 metres (120 feet), a depth of 22.5 metres (73.8 feet), a deadweight of 63,900, a gross tonnage of 57,583, and a total cargo capacity of 99,000 cubic metres. The ship will be used for the transport of ethane, ethylene, LPG and other liquefied gases.

The ship's design ensures compatibility with many major LPG terminals worldwide. Other onboard systems include those that help minimise instances of boil-off gas, thus reducing risk of cargo loss.

Dual-fuel propulsion for greater operational flexibility

The cargo is stored in IMO Type B tanks developed in-house by Jiangnan Shipyard to help ensure a low boil-off rate. The ship’s other tank capacities are 2,561 cubic metres (563,300 gallons) for fuel oil, 392 cubic metres (86,200 gallons) for freshwater, and 184 cubic metres (40,500 gallons) for lube oil.

Power is provided by a dual-fuel main engine that can also run on ethane and that can deliver a service speed of 16 knots.

Pacific Ineos Chocolate was built in compliance with Liberian flag requirements and American Bureau of Shipping class rules, including those under the unrestricted service notation.