Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding has recently completed the sea trial of Xinfu 143, a cutting-edge 100,000-cubic-meter very large ethane carrier (VLEC), under the escort of the local maritime safety administration.
Xinfu 143 carries out its sea trials. [Photo/WeChat account: txfabu]
Measuring 229.9 meters long and 36.5 meters wide, the vessel is classed by Bureau Veritas (BV) and represents the third of five customized VLECs built for Singapore's SP Chemicals. Equipped with an advanced International Maritime Organization Type B cargo containment system, the specialized ship can safely transport liquefied ethane, ethylene, and liquefied petroleum gas at ultra-low cryogenic temperatures of -104 C, while supporting simultaneous liquid cargo operations.
As a leading enterprise in the shipbuilding and offshore engineering sector in Taixing, Yangzi Xinfu has previously delivered the ACS SP VOYAGER ship — the world's first 100,000-cubic-meter VLEC — marking a breakthrough for a private Chinese shipbuilder in the field of VLEC construction.
To ensure safety during the voyage, Taixing's maritime enforcement team conducted rigorous pre-voyage inspections, crew training, and dynamic monitoring tailored to the complex waterway conditions and bridge navigation restrictions.
This successful sea trial underscores the rapid expansion of Taixing's shipbuilding and offshore engineering sector. In 2025, the city's gross output value of the marine industry reached 18 billion yuan ($2.69 billion), maintaining its position as the leader among all non-coastal county-level cities in Jiangsu province. The shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment sector accounted for 49.88 percent of the total.