German shipowner Hartmann Schiffahrts is homing in on a planned order for five very large ethane carriers (VLECs), with two Chinese yards battling it out for the business.

Sources say Hartmann, along with partners Jacques de Chateauvieux-controlled Jaccar Holdings and HB Hunte Engineering, is in talks with China’s state-owned Jiangnan Shipbuilding (Group) Co and privately owned Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings on the so-called Eco-Star newbuildings.