Wuhu Shipyard inks NewBuilding deal for 40,500 dwt Product Oil&Chemical Tankers with Ardmore

Yard also marks largest chemical tanker built at its Wuhu Base as Irish owner expands MR newbuilding pipeline.

Wuhu Shipyard has secured a 2+2 newbuilding order from Ardmore Shipping LLC, the NYSE-listed Irish owner of MR product and chemical tankers. The 40,500 dwt vessels will feature 8+1 cargo tanks with Marineline coating, enabling the carriage of up to eight chemical or refined product grades simultaneously.

Wuhu described the deal as a significant capability milestone, noting the vessel type will be the largest chemical tanker ever built at its headquarter.

Ardmore, which operates mainly in voyage and time charter markets, placed the order based on Wuhu’s track record in high-end chemical carrier construction.

Industry observers see the contract as further confirmation of Wuhu’s growing reputation in the chemical tanker segment.

Wuhu Shipyard has turned a long-term focus on chemical carriers into a market-leading position.

The Chinese yard began specialising in small and medium-sized liquid cargo vessel construction in 2016, starting with MarineLine-coated chemical tankers before delivering Haidely, Anhui’s first duplex stainless steel chemical carrier — a milestone that helped Wuhu master welding deformation and precision control.

Today, the yard is actively building a wide range of stainless steel chemical and MR tankers, including 6,600 dwt, 18,500 dwt, 22,000 dwt, 25,900 dwt, 38,000 dwt, 40,800 dwt (MR1) and 49,000 dwt (MR2) series.

Wuhu says it now offers full-cycle design and construction capabilities from small chemical carriers up to large MR tankers, positioning the shipyard as a core supplier in the global chemical tanker market.

Best-selling vessel series wins international recognition as technical strength builds market reputation

Wuhu Shipyard's 22,000 dwt hybrid chemical tanker series has become a benchmark in the sector.

The first vessel in the series won Europe's "Tanker of the Year" award in 2021, while the second was named one of China's top 10 innovative shipbuilding products in 2022 — making it the only chemical carrier in the country to claim both honours.

Follow-on orders for three more sister vessels have since been placed by owners, with the third already delivered, further cementing the competitiveness of Wuhu-built ships in the high-end chemical carrier segment.

On the green and smart shipbuilding front, Wuhu is also moving ahead.

Its 18,500 dwt methanol-ready green chemical tanker comes equipped with rotor sails, delivering more than 10% energy savings. The first 6,600 dwt stainless steel chemical carrier with DC-electric propulsion is another standout: it features a methanol-ready design, an advanced DC distribution electric propulsion system optimised for energy efficiency, and main generators that are methanol dual-fuel ready. The integration includes fuel tanks, piping and safety systems, allowing future retrofits for green methanol — a plug-and-play pathway to lower-carbon operations.

The vessel also carries a full suite of smart systems, covering intelligent navigation, engine room management, energy efficiency and cargo handling — delivering long-term value for owners.

RMB 10 billion in output and global recognition – market validation backed by numbers

Performance tells the story. In 2025, Wuhu Shipyard's output value exceeded RMB 10 billion, making it the first shipbuilding enterprise in Anhui Province to join the "ten-billion club".

Repeat business from owners offers the strongest endorsement of the yard's capabilities. Wuhu first teamed up with Swedish owner Donso in 2018, and the partnership has since deepened.

More recently, the yard secured orders from Stolt Tankers, the world's largest chemical tanker owner, for six 38,000 dwt stainless steel chemical carriers. Wuhu has also been building 18,500 dwt IMO Type II chemical carrier series in batches for a range of well-known owners at home and abroad.

Taken together, these deals have built Wuhu a multi-tiered, multi-regional client base across the global chemical tanker market.

Delivering on promises, earning trust through quality

Ardmore's decision to partner with Wuhu Shipyard on this newbuild programme was no coincidence. The century-old yard operates under a strict quality principle — "meticulous craftsmanship, every vessel a benchmark" — and has consistently delivered on its commitments to owners. That track record has built long-term trust.

The Ardmore contract marks Wuhu's first chemical carrier order of 2026, adding a new milestone as the yard continues to expand its presence in the segment.

Wuhu Shipyard says it will stay focused on its customer-driven philosophy, combining craftsmanship with quality, and will keep pushing into greener, smarter and more high-end vessel segments. The goal is to deliver premium ships and full-cycle services to owners worldwide while supporting the sustainable development of the shipping industry.

Provided by Nina&Publicity