Another Vessel Delivered! 18,500 DWT Chemical Tanker "WESTERN ACACIA" Was Successfully Delivered

On March 13th, the delivery ceremony for the lead vessel of the 18,500 DWT chemical tanker series, the M/T "WESTERN ACACIA," built by Wuhu Shipyard for Donghai Anhe Bulk Transportation Co., Ltd., was successfully held in Nantong.

Mr. Zhang Yun, Chairman of Donghai Anhe Bulk Transportation Co., Ltd.; Mr. Jiang Yong, General Manager of Jiangsu Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.; Mr. Sun Jianping, General Manager of Maritime Development at Yangzijin Financial Holdings; Ms. Ni Jingliang, Broker; Mr. Chen Biao, Vice President of BV China; Ms. Shao Rongrong, General Manager of Synergy Marine China; and Mr. Zhang Zhao, Chairman of Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd., along with other distinguished leaders and guests, joined together to witness this significant occasion.

Ms. Zhang Xinhang, General Manager of the Shipping Finance Department at Jiangsu Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., was cordially invited to serve as the Godmother of M/T "WESTERN ACACIA." In accordance with traditional maritime rituals, she performed the ceremonial blessing, christening, and ribbon-cutting, offering blessings for the new vessel and wishing it safe and smooth voyages in its future journeys.

Mr. Zhang Yun, Chairman of Donghai Anhe, delivered a speech as the shipowner's representative. He highly praised Wuhu Shipyard for upholding the craftsman spirit of "constant striving for excellence," overcoming difficulties in the construction of the lead vessel and turning the green vision into reality. Mr. Zhang stated that this collaboration is a strategic choice for Donghai Anhe in its layout of low-carbon shipping. Through the shipyard's professionalism and unwavering commitment, the designer's ingenuity and the builder's hard work have ultimately been materialized into this majestic green giant.

Mr. Chen Biao, Vice President of BV China, delivered a speech as the representative of the classification society. He pointed out that the 18,500 DWT oil/chemical tanker features an advanced design and extraordinary construction difficulty, and the lead vessel encountered numerous challenges from blueprint to reality. It was precisely the joint efforts and sincere collaboration of the shipowner, the shipyard, and BV that ultimately turned this vessel into reality. As a "trust builder," BV will continue to rely on its global technical network to fully support the high-quality delivery of subsequent vessels in the series.

In his speech, Mr. Zhang Zhao, Chairman of the company, extended sincere gratitude to EGPN, Yangzijin Financial Holdings, BV Classification Society, and other partners for their trust and support. Mr. Zhang noted that since establishing cooperation with EGPN in 2023, the two parties have jointly undertaken the construction of eight chemical tankers. This not only represents high recognition of the "Wuhu Shipbuilding" brand, but also stands as the highest commendation of the company's technical strength and construction capability.

Currently, the global shipbuilding landscape is undergoing profound transformation. As a century-old established shipbuilder, Wuhu Shipyard is actively responding to these changes, embarking on a new journey of revitalization and steadily advancing towards the high-end market. In recent years, the company has focused on high-end oil and chemical tankers, successfully entering the global top-tier league for high-end tanker construction and securing a leading position in the specialized liquid cargo vessel sector in China. This endeavor has not only broken through multiple technological monopolies but has also cultivated a professional team well-versed in international rules and equipped with exceptional technical expertise. The 18,500 DWT chemical tanker delivered today stands as a true masterpiece, representing Wuhu Shipyard's deep commitment and excellence in the chemical tanker sector!

he successful delivery of the lead vessel has laid a solid foundation for the orderly progress of the seven subsequent sister ships. Standing at the new starting point of 2026, Wuhu Shipyard will continue to uphold the philosophy of "technology for good, business for good," focusing on high-end, intelligent, and green development. Leveraging the construction experience from benchmark vessel types, we aim to provide the global shipping industry with technologically advanced, economically viable, safe, and reliable "Wuhu Shipbuilding Intelligent Manufacturing" and "Wuhu Shipbuilding Solutions" for its green and low-carbon transformation, thereby creating value for more shipowner clients.

Vessel Type Introduction

The 18,500 DWT chemical tanker "WESTERN ACACIA" is positioned as a green and intelligent vessel, featuring a methanol-ready design that allows its main engine to be converted to methanol dual-fuel operation at any time. Both the main and auxiliary engines are equipped with SCR systems to meet Tier III emission standards, providing ample headroom for shipowners to secure a position in the low-carbon track. Addressing the core challenge of multi-cargo transportation, the vessel is fitted with 14 independent submersible cargo pumps and 6 separate piping systems, enabling the simultaneous loading and unloading of up to six different grades of cargo. This offers flexible adaptability for a wide range of products, including crude oil, chemicals, and vegetable oils. The engine room meets the AUT-UMS unmanned machinery space notation and includes a safe haven designed in compliance with ISPS rules, embedding safety as a priority with a "people-oriented" philosophy. With its air draft precisely controlled to 35.5 meters, the vessel can smoothly access the North American Great Lakes, significantly enhancing its global operational adaptability.