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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has received an order from Astomos Energy Corporation for a very large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier. The LPG carrier on order is identical to vessels ordered from MHI by Astomos Energy late in 2013, and again in spring 2014.

The carrier will offer flexibility to accommodate major LPG terminals around the globe, and specifications suited for passage through the newly expanding Panama Canal. Completion and delivery of the ship is scheduled for the second half of 2016.

The newly ordered LPG carrier will measure 230.0 meters in length overall, 36.6m in width, and 11.1m in draft; with 48,300 gross tonnage, and 51,100 dwt. It will have the capacity to carry up to 83,000 cubic meters of LPG.

Construction, as with the two previously ordered vessels, will be carried out at MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works.

Astomos Energy presently operates a fleet of 21 large-scale LPG carriers. All six vessels owned by the company and 10 of the company’s 15 time-chartered vessels were built by MHI at the Nagasaki Shipyard.

According to MHI, Astomos Energy is pursuing a medium-term business plan to expand its LPG transport structure, targeting an increase in gross LPG handling volume from the current 10 million tons per year (mtpy) to more than 12mtpy in 2015. The new carrier, when completed, will replace one of Astomos Energy’s own superannuated vessels.