The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker SUN FALCON (IMO 9227261) is a specialized gas carrier engineered for efficient regional gas transport and liquid energy logistics. Built in 2002 and currently sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, this 95.6-meter vessel plays an active role in connecting regional energy hubs, coastal discharge terminals, and industrial storage facilities. Maintaining class notation with Lloyd’s Register, one of the world’s leading maritime classification societies, SUN FALCON adheres to safety and structural standards required for handling pressurized gas cargoes.
With a deadweight tonnage of approximately 3,785 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 3,366 GT, SUN FALCON represents a vital segment of short-sea gas logistics. Mid-sized coastal LPG carriers like SUN FALCON serve as key links in energy supply chains, transferring propane, butane, and petrochemical mixtures to ports where larger ocean-going gas carriers cannot berth due to depth or channel restrictions.
Key Specifications & Technical Data
Technical Parameter
Vessel Specification
Vessel Name
SUN FALCON
IMO Number
9227261
MMSI / Call Sign
305019400 / V2C2019
Vessel Type
Gas Carrier / LPG Tanker
Flag State
Antigua and Barbuda
Classification Society
Lloyd’s Register (IACS Member)
Year Built
2002
Length Overall (LOA)
95.6 meters
Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP)
89.37 meters
Beam (Width)
14.4 meters
Gross Tonnage (GT)
3,366 tonnes
Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)
3,785 metric tonnes
Design Characteristics and Hull Dimensions
The naval architecture of SUN FALCON balances shallow-water access with optimized cargo capacity. Featuring a Length Overall (LOA) of 95.6 meters and a Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP) of 89.37 meters, the vessel utilizes a compact hull form designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag while maintaining stability in varying sea states.
The vessel’s beam of 14.4 meters provides transverse stability during transit across open coastal waters while remaining narrow enough to maneuver through tight port channels, shallow locks, and busy anchorages. The proportion between its overall length and perpendicular length reflects an efficient bow and stern configuration designed to house essential deck machinery, anchor arrangements, and cargo manifold systems without compromising space for pressurized cargo tanks.
Class Standards & Regulatory Compliance: Lloyd’s Register
Carrying liquefied petroleum gas requires continuous adherence to strict international maritime safety codes due to the flammability and volatility of compressed gas products. SUN FALCON is classed by Lloyd’s Register, a prominent member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
Classification by Lloyd’s Register certifies that the vessel complies with rigorous structural, mechanical, and safety requirements:
• Cargo System Integrity: Regular testing of pressurized cargo tanks, piping networks, emergency shut-off valves, and vapor-return lines to prevent leakages.
• Fire Safety & Monitoring: Continuous automated gas detection systems installed across pump rooms, cargo decks, and engine rooms, linked to fixed firefighting installations.
• Machinery & Structural Testing: Periodic hull thickness surveys, propulsion system checks, and auxiliary power maintenance to maintain seaworthiness.
Sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, SUN FALCON operates under an international flag administration compliant with key maritime conventions, including SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (Marine Pollution Prevention), and the IGC Code (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk).
Operational Role in the Global LPG Trade
As an LPG carrier in the coastal trade sector, SUN FALCON fulfills several specialized functions across maritime trade routes:
1. Regional Gas Distribution: Moving pressurized LPG cargoes from central storage hubs or refineries to secondary regional distribution centers and island terminals.
2. Ship-to-Ship (STS) Operations: Serving as a feeder or receiving vessel during lightering operations with Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) anchored offshore.
3. Draft-Restricted Port Access: Calling at river ports, industrial complexes, and shallow berths that cannot accommodate deep-draft tankers.
Because LPG must remain pressurized to stay liquid during transport, SUN FALCON is equipped with specialized cargo compressors and pumps to ensure safe loading, unloading, and temperature control throughout transit.
Tracking and Identification
Maritime stakeholders, port authorities, and logistics managers track SUN FALCON using key international registry markers:
• IMO Number (9227261): A unique, permanent identifier assigned by the International Maritime Organization that stays with the ship throughout its operational lifespan.
• MMSI (305019400) & Call Sign (V2C2019): Radio transponder markers used by Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to broadcast real-time speed, heading, position, and port destination data.
Through its compact dimensions, class verification under Lloyd’s Register, and flexible cargo handling, SUN FALCON remains a functional and reliable vessel within short-sea liquefied gas supply chains.