A Quintet of Victories：Large Fracturing Vessel Returns from Sea Trials

We draw the bow to the fullest at the outset, and our progress soars like a rainbow.

At the beginning of the new year, Wuhu Shipyard has gained powerful momentum, with multiple vessels undergoing sea trials in parallel, marking a vigorous start to the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. Five ships, including the large fracturing vessel "Offshore Oil 696" and the 18,500-ton series chemical tankers "18521" and "18511," have successively embarked on sea trials. Braving the waves with courage, they have sounded the drum for the year's production, fully demonstrating the strong momentum of "hitting the ground running from day one."

Record-Breaking, Defying the Storm

Recently, the sea trial mission of the large fracturing vessel "Offshore Oil 696," constructed by the company, was successfully completed in the waters off Zhoushan. Despite facing multiple challenges such as navigation delays and communication disruptions caused by strong winds and rough seas, the project team collaborated efficiently with the shipowner and classification society, adopting a scientific and determined approach to overcome difficulties. All planned tests were completed on schedule, with several outstanding achievements recorded, marking the full success of the sea trial mission.

During the sea trials, extreme sea conditions presented significant challenges to vessel navigation and equipment testing. The project team immediately activated emergency response protocols, dynamically optimized the trial plan, and coordinated all onboard resources. By integrating the efforts of the technical, operational, and support teams, they ensured the stable operation of core systems and the orderly execution of all test sequences.

This trial culminated in a comprehensive success, characterized by full compliance across all test items, verification of high-performance metrics, and the setting of new benchmarks. All testing parameters for the vessel's conventional systems, fracturing systems, and associated intelligent equipment met specification requirements. Its reliable seaworthiness and operational capability under extreme conditions were thoroughly validated. Notably, the radar mast reinstallation was completed at a record-breaking pace, the 30,000 kW high-power test for the high-voltage circuit was successfully concluded, and operational efficiency at 25,000 kW power output achieved 2.5 times the conventional standard. These results comprehensively demonstrate the vessel's robust core performance and the project team's exceptional problem-solving capabilities.

Four-Day Grueling Battle to Overcome Key Hurdles

Due to severe winter weather conditions along the navigation route, it took Vessel 18511 over a week to travel from the shipyard to the designated trial area, compressing the originally planned testing window to a mere four days. Confronted with this tight schedule, all personnel worked tirelessly and successfully completed over 40 critical test items with high quality, including the main engine endurance test, speed measurement, EEDI verification, and fuel/fuel switching tests, with all parameters meeting or exceeding design standards. During this period, through meticulous coordination, the project team scientifically integrated three test procedures. By adjusting the loading plan for ballast tanks and liquid cargo tanks while ensuring design safety and hull stability, they completed a test sequence originally requiring at least 120 hours in just 85 hours, saving nearly two valuable days for the overall sea trial. Next, the vessel will undergo wind-assisted propulsion trials. It is reported that the use of wind-assisted technology (such as wind ducts/sails) will significantly reduce the vessel's own energy consumption by harnessing natural wind power, thereby improving the economic efficiency of its operations.

Excellence in Both Quality and Efficiency, Setting a New Benchmark

The project team for Hull 18521 adhered to refined management practices, achieving breakthroughs in both quality and efficiency throughout the sea trials. Through meticulous planning, the team improved the efficiency of main engine endurance test adjustments by 50% compared to the original schedule. During the mooring trials phase, a comprehensive main engine oil flushing procedure was developed, with strict controls over the cleanliness of lubricating oil circulation tanks and pipelines. This resulted in the remarkable achievement of zero wear on the main engine shaft bearings after the sea trials, earning consistent praise from the shipowner and classification society. Additionally, thorough wiring inspections and testing during the mooring trials ensured a 100% first-time pass rate for performance inspections of critical equipment, including the main engine, generators, steering gear, and side thrusters. With their solid professional expertise and rigorous management standards, the team has set a benchmark for the efficient execution of subsequent projects.

In addition, two vessels from the 17,800-ton series at Wuhu Shipyard have recently returned from their sea trials and received letters of appreciation from the shipowner. The letters fully acknowledged the project team's professionalism, sense of responsibility, and innovative approach demonstrated during the vessel construction, while also highly commending their outstanding performance in the optimization of construction processes, precise control over project milestones, and seamless collaboration.

Currently, the successive sea trials of multiple vessel types have once again demonstrated the tangible outcomes of Wuhu Shipyard's dedicated efforts. All teams at Wuhu Shipyard are now fully committed to accelerating progress toward upcoming production and delivery milestones, striving to achieve even more robust results in the periods ahead.

Contributed by Chen Zidan

Proofread by the Party-Mass Work Department

Edited by Shui Qing