Auspicious Snow Adds to Joy: Fourth 22,000 DWT Chemical Tanker Named and Launched

On January 20th, the baptism, naming, and launching ceremony for the 22,000 DWT chemical tanker (hull number 22004), built by our company for Sweden’s Donso Shipping, was held at Shipyard No. 2. Mr. Ingvar Lorensson, CEO of Donso Shipping, along with partners and relevant leaders from the shipyard, braved the snow to gather and witness this important moment.

At the ceremony, Ms. Susanne from DONSO Shipping served as the godmother of Hull 22004. She named the vessel "ATLANTICO" and performed the traditional maritime rituals, including the prayer and blessing, ribbon-cutting, and the bottle-smashing ceremony. As the ceremonial bow ribbon was cut and a prolonged whistle pierced the air, the "ATLANTICO" proudly took to the water. Braving the biting river wind and amidst the swirling snow, it embarked on its maiden voyage, setting sail on a brand-new journey.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ingvar Lorensson, CEO of DONSO Shipping, reviewed the history of cooperation with Wuhu Shipyard. Since the two sides first joined hands in 2018, their collaborative scope has continued to expand, culminating in a total of five shipbuilding orders signed to date. From initially witnessing the launch online to now gathering many shipowner families on-site to celebrate this grand occasion together, the partnership forged over these years has solidified into a solid foundation for deepening future collaboration.

Mr. Qin Yubao, Regional Manager of DNV's Nanjing office, stated that Wuhu Shipyard, as a key player in China's shipbuilding sector, has consistently earned industry trust through its exquisite craftsmanship, efficient construction, and continuous technological upgrades. Looking ahead, DNV will further increase investment in R&D and innovation, leverage its technical strengths, and fully support partners like Wuhu Shipyard and DONSO Shipping in navigating industry transformation challenges. Together, we will drive the maritime industry toward a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable future.

The newly launched "ATLANTICO" represents another significant achievement by the company in the field of environmentally friendly chemical tankers. As a benchmark vessel embodying the vision of leading global shipping towards low-carbon operations, it adopts a dual environmental solution combining dual-fuel capability and green methanol technology. This integration merges the flexible adaptability of the "dual-fuel system" with the low-carbon emission reduction advantages of "green methanol" technology, establishing the vessel as a key milestone in propelling the maritime industry's decarbonization transition.

Furthermore, the ship successfully achieved its "90-day launch" target, marking a reduction of over 12% in its key construction cycle compared to previous vessels, alongside an improvement of over 7% in launch completeness. This accomplishment sets a new record for the berth construction period within its series and signifies that the company has reached a new level of standardized, rhythmic, and scalable production capability in constructing mainstream green and environmentally friendly chemical tankers.

(The sister ship, the 22,000-ton hybrid propulsion chemical tanker "Prospero," was delivered in December 2021.)

Just as winds begin as whispers in the grass and waves form from the faintest ripples, the partnership between Wuhu Shipyard and DONSO Shipping has grown from its modest beginnings. Starting with the first order secured in the Nordic high-end market on a winter day in 2018, Wuhu Shipyard has now emerged as a frontrunner in the chemical tanker sector. This journey of collaboration is not only a testament to mutual trust and shared success but also a vivid reflection of the century-old shipyard's strides toward high-end and international excellence.

Standing at the new beginning of 2026, the company will leverage the construction experience gained from these benchmark vessels. Focusing on high-end, intelligent, and green development, Wuhu Shipyard is committed to providing the global shipping industry with technologically advanced, economically viable, safe, and reliable "Wuhu Shipyard Smart Solutions" to support its green and low-carbon transition, thereby creating greater value for more shipowners and clients.