On February 12, 2026, the Shanghai Municipal Government released the findings of its investigation into a fatal confined-space accident that occurred on September 4, 2025, aboard the Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) H2648, later named PACIFIC INEOS MIO. The accident, which happened during final outfitting and commissioning at Jiangnan Shipyard, resulted in three worker fatalities due to asphyxiation when nitrogen entered a cargo hold through a partially open isolation valve. The official report cites multiple safety lapses, including the absence of a confined space entry permit, lack of ventilation and oxygen testing, and insufficient supervision. Accountability measures include criminal referral for two individuals, disciplinary action for management, and administrative penalties for the shipyard and its leadership. The vessel was being constructed for Shandong Marine Energy and is intended to serve INEOS in global ethane transportation.
3 Dead in Confined-Space Incident on VLEC “PACIFIC INEOS MIO”: Official Investigation Flags Nitrogen Inerting and Permit-to-Work Failures
Jiangnan Shipyard - CSSC
SHIPYARD
Shandong Marine Energy Co Ltd
SHIPOWNER
Retrofitting
Offshore Vessel
Ella Trusteddocks
Topics
Connected to This Story
Free weekly digest
This week's ship orders & deliveries — every Friday
New contracts, launches and shipyard news in one email. No account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
More Shipbuilding News
View all →
MSC's Global Car Carriers Expands Orderbook to 20 Ships
MSC-controlled Global Car Carriers (GCC), formerly known as Gram Car Carriers, has ordered eight more LNG dual-fuel car…
Sep 28, 2026
DryDel Shipping Orders Two Kamsarmax Newbuildings from Tsuneishi
DryDel Shipping has signed contracts with Tsuneishi Shipbuilding for two new 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax vessels, marking the…
Sep 28, 2026
Newbuilding Contracts — Week 39/2026
142 newbuilding orders across 9 segments were recorded in the New-Ships orderbook in week 39/2026 (21 September–27…
Sep 28, 2026
Brønnbåt Nord Orders Battery-Hybrid Wellboat from Zamakona
Norwegian aquaculture vessel operator Brønnbåt Nord has ordered an 86.8-metre battery-hybrid wellboat from Spain's…
Sep 28, 2026