(WO) — INEOS is marking 10 years since the first shipment of U.S. shale ethane arrived at its Grangemouth complex in Scotland, establishing a supply route that has since delivered more than 400 cargoes of feedstock to the petrochemical site.
The first purpose-built Dragon-class vessel, the JS INEOS Insight, arrived at Grangemouth on Sept. 28, 2016, carrying 27,500 m³ of U.S. ethane.
INEOS developed the supply project to address declining North Sea gas availability and secure feedstock for its Grangemouth petrochemical operations. Backed by a $2 billion investment, the project established a supply chain connecting U.S. shale production with Europe through purpose-built ethane carriers.
The project also included new infrastructure at Grangemouth, including what was then Europe’s largest ethane storage tank. The imported ethane is used as feedstock for ethylene production at the complex.
Over the past decade, more than 400 ethane shipments have arrived at Grangemouth. INEOS said the supply has helped support continued manufacturing at the site while reducing its reliance on natural gas amid high UK energy costs.
“This is a truly remarkable anniversary to celebrate,” said Nick Williamson, CEO of INEOS O&P UK. “Ten years on, the success of this investment continues to be felt right across the site.”
INEOS has also recently commissioned a tenth furnace at its Grangemouth ethylene plant. The company’s ethane carrier fleet, which originally comprised eight Dragon-class vessels, is expected to reach 20 ships by the end of 2026, including 12 very large ethane carriers.
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