Big Leap in Integrity: 18,500-ton IMO II Chemical Tanker Scores High in Launching

On May 25, 2026, another celebratory moment arrived at the slipway of Wuhu Shipyard! With the rousing sound of a long whistle blast, the 18,500 DWT IMO Type II chemical tanker (No. 18524) of the series, built by the company, was successfully launched. Achieving a major improvement in construction integrity, it marked the successful completion of a key milestone, laying a solid foundation for subsequent efficient outfitting.

As an important member of the 18,500-ton chemical tanker series, during the construction of No. 18524, the project team focused on the goals of ‘improving integrity, securing milestones, and optimizing quality,’ strengthened process coordination, precision control, and collaborative work, achieving a significant improvement in integrity prior to launching.

For No. 18524, before launching, key indicators such as main structure completion, key equipment installation, piping and cable laying, and deck machinery pre-installation were all significantly optimized, truly achieving high-integrity launching and a high-standard start. This effectively shortens the quay outfitting period and improves both construction efficiency and quality control levels.

The project team focused on the engine room area—a ‘critical lever project’—refining the management granularity to cover 432 points of the thousand-point launching status checklist, and made iterative improvements based on No. 18523. By optimizing construction plans for the SCR exhaust pipe, valve remote control system, gas detection, and engine room accompanying piping, they overcame several technical bottlenecks and completed all levels of construction tasks on schedule.

No. 18524 has become an upgraded version of No. 18523 in terms of integrity, providing a construction template for subsequent vessels in the series and setting a benchmark for intermediate product integrity management. Going forward, Wuhu Shipyard will continue to hone its internal capabilities, consolidate key processes and management experience, deepen modular unit integrity management, solidify lean production rhythms, and drive a dual leap in construction efficiency and quality, delivering even higher-quality vessels to shipowners.