Wuhu Shipyard partners with Irish owner Ardmore to secure orders for 40,500 dwt chemical tankers

Recently, Wuhu Shipyard successfully signed a contract with Irish owner Ardmore for 2+2 units of 40,500 dwt chemical tankers. This vessel type will be the largest tonnage chemical tanker built at Wuhu Shipyard’s main base, marking a significant step forward in the company’s capabilities in the field of chemical tanker construction.

As a New York Stock Exchange-listed company, Ardmore specializes in the operation of MR tankers, providing transportation services for refined oil products and chemicals through voyage charters and time charter arrangements. The MR1 chemical tanker contracted under this project features 8+1 cargo holds, capable of loading up to eight different types of cargo simultaneously. The cargo holds are specially coated with MarineLine, meeting the requirements for carrying a wide range of chemicals.

The finalization of this order once again demonstrates that Wuhu Shipyard’s technical expertise, construction capabilities, and delivery track record in the high-end chemical tanker sector are highly recognized. The market’s choice also adds another strong endorsement to the brand image of Wuhu Shipyard’s chemical tankers.

Decades of dedication have forged a prestigious brand in chemical tankers.

Since 2016, Wuhu Shipyard has focused on the R&D and construction of small and medium-sized liquid cargo vessels. From building early chemical tankers with MarineLine special coating to successfully constructing "Haideli", the first dual-phase stainless steel chemical tanker in Anhui Province, the company has accumulated deep technical expertise while overcoming key technical challenges such as welding deformation control and precision control in dual-phase stainless steel construction.

In recent years, Wuhu Shipyard has continued to strengthen its batch and series construction capabilities in the chemical tanker sector. The 6,600 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker, 18,500 dwt chemical tanker, 22,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker, 25,900 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker, 38,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker, 40,800 dwt MR1 type, and 49,000 dwt MR2 type series vessels are all under orderly construction. This has enabled the company to establish a full-chain design and construction capability covering small and medium-sized liquid cargo vessels as well as large chemical tankers, placing it among the world's core suppliers of chemical tankers.

Popular vessel designs have repeatedly gained international recognition, and technical strength has won market acclaim.

The 22,000 dwt hybrid chemical tanker series, meticulously developed by Wuhu Shipyard, sets a benchmark in the industry. The first vessel in the series won the European "Tanker of the Year 2021" award, and the second vessel was named one of the "Top 10 Innovative Products of China's Shipbuilding Industry 2022", making it the only chemical tanker in China to receive both prestigious honors.

Subsequently, the owner placed repeat orders for three more vessels of the same type with the shipyard, with the third vessel having already been successfully delivered, further strengthening the core competitiveness of "Wuhu Shipyard manufacturing" in the high-end chemical tanker sector.

Wuhu Shipyard is also at the forefront of green and smart shipbuilding. The 18,500 dwt methanol-ready green chemical tanker is equipped with rotor sails, achieving energy savings of over 10%. The first 6,600 dwt DC electric propulsion dual-phase stainless steel chemical tanker features a methanol-fuel-ready design, adopts an advanced DC distribution electric propulsion system optimized for best-in-class energy efficiency, and has main generators with a methanol dual-fuel ready design. It integrates fuel tanks, piping, and safety systems, allowing for easy future conversion to use green methanol, enabling a “plug-and-play” low-carbon upgrade. The vessel is equipped with a complete intelligent system integrating four major platforms: intelligent navigation, engine room, energy efficiency, and cargo management, delivering long-term returns to the owner.

Ten-billion-yuan output value and global leadership — market recognition behind the numbers.

Performance is the most powerful proof. In 2025, Wuhu Shipyard’s output value exceeded ten billion yuan, making it the first shipbuilding enterprise in Anhui Province to join the “ten-billion-yuan club”.

The continued cooperation of shipowners serves as the strongest endorsement of Wuhu Shipyard’s capabilities. As early as 2018, Wuhu Shipyard began collaborating with Swedish owner Donso, and the partnership has continued to deepen. Furthermore, Wuhu Shipyard has secured orders from Stolt Tankers, the world’s largest chemical tanker owner, for six 38,000 dwt dual-phase stainless steel oil/chemical carriers, as well as series orders for 18,500 dwt IMO Type II chemical tankers for renowned owners both domestically and internationally, forming a customer network covering multiple tiers and regions.

Honor commitments with quality, win trust with excellence.

Ardmore’s choice of Wuhu Shipyard as a newbuilding partner is no coincidence. The century-old Wuhu Shipyard, guided by its quality principle of "meticulous craftsmanship and excellence in every vessel delivered," has honored its firm commitments to owners, laying the foundation for long-term trust.

This contract signing marks the first order for Wuhu Shipyard in the chemical tanker sector in 2026, adding a new milestone to the company’s continued expansion in the chemical tanker market. Wuhu Shipyard will continue to uphold its "customer-centered" philosophy, deliver excellence with craftsmanship, focus on green, smart, and high-end development, and provide global shipowners with premium vessels and full-cycle services, supporting the sustainable development of the shipping industry.