Dragon Ships Sail into Grangemouth's Future
The Grangemouth petrochemicals site in Scotland has reached an important milestone. On September 28, 2016, the first Dragon Ship carrying US shale gas ethane arrived at the site. The shipment was a significant event in the history of the site, providing a secure and reliable feedstock supply for manufacturing.
Since then, more than 400 ethane shipments have been received, with over 27,500 cubic meters arriving per delivery. These imports have supplied enough liquid ethane to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 23 hours for ten years.
The project was supported by a $2 billion investment from INEOS and required significant innovation, including the development of new maritime classifications for the vessels and the construction of what was then Europe's largest ethane storage tank. The fleet has since grown to include eight purpose-built Dragon-class ethane carriers, with plans to expand to 20 vessels by the end of 2026.
According to Nick Williamson, CEO of INEOS O&P UK, 'This is a truly remarkable anniversary to celebrate.' He notes that the project has strengthened the manufacturing capability at Grangemouth and helped reduce reliance on natural gas, mitigating the impact of high energy costs in the UK.