Twin Launchings in Two Days: Steady Progress Maintained in Serial Production

From April 2nd to 3rd, Wuhu Shipyard achieved dual milestones as the 14,600-ton series multipurpose heavy-lift vessel (No. 14605) and the 18,500-ton series chemical tanker (No. 18514) were successfully launched in succession within two days, demonstrating the shipyard's steadily advancing pace of serial production.

No. 14605 is the fifth and final vessel in a series of five high-end heavy-lift multipurpose vessels built by the shipyard for Germany's SAL Heavy Lift Group. The vessel has an overall length of 149.9 meters, a moulded breadth of 27.2 meters, a design draft of 7.2 meters, a deadweight capacity of 14,600 tons, and a service speed of 18.5 knots. Since the commencement of construction, the project team has leveraged its extensive technical expertise and the manufacturing advantages of the intelligent "Super Factory" to efficiently overcome a series of technical challenges, including the welding of extra-thick steel plates (with over 80% coverage and thicknesses up to 150 mm), the precision installation of heavy-lift crane foundations, and the structural strength control of large hatch openings. Furthermore, by continuously optimizing processes and implementing modular construction based on the accumulated experience from preceding vessels in the series, the team has achieved a further reduction in the construction cycle and a steady improvement in build quality.

No. 18514 is the fourth vessel in the 18,500-ton chemical tanker series custom-built for the UK-based shipowner Union Maritime Limited. The vessel has an overall length of 149.8 meters, a length between perpendiculars of 145.3 meters, a moulded depth of 12.7 meters, and a design speed of 14.0 knots. While achieving excellent speed performance, it also precisely balances fuel economy, fully embodying the concept of green and low-carbon operations. During the construction process, the Second Project Department and the Erection Workshop drew extensively on the experience gained from building the first three vessels in the series. With the core objectives of maximizing work completion on the berth and achieving the highest level of outfitting integrity at launch, the team led and coordinated all workshops and departments—including hull, machinery, electrical, painting, quality control, and material supply—to break down professional barriers and establish an efficient collaborative working mechanism. Through lean construction measures such as process pre-shifting, technique iteration, parallel and overlapping operations, and milestone advancement, the team focused efforts on transferring as much outfitting work as possible from the quayside to the berth stage, successfully overcoming numerous construction challenges. Ultimately, No. 18514 set a new record for the series in terms of launch integrity and early completion of critical tank construction, fully demonstrating the shipyard's annual operational theme of "Faster Delivery, Stronger Systems, and Deeper Collaboration.

The successful launch of two vessels within two days serves as compelling validation of the company's steadily advancing pace of serial production and vividly reflects the united efforts and collaborative determination of every member of the Wuhu Shipyard team. There is no solitary struggle here—only the collective strength of a group working as one. With everyone's hearts and efforts aligned toward a shared goal, the team continues to set new construction records for the series through coordinated breakthroughs. We salute every commitment and extend our gratitude for every contribution. It is precisely this shared sense of purpose that empowers us to press forward without pause and to achieve ever greater accomplishments.