Unremitting Efforts: Keel Laying + Launching + Dock Entry – Three Major Bases Hit Key Milestones in Succession

Spring spurs days, summer spurs hours.

Since the beginning of 2026, Wuhu Shipyard has adhered to the core goal of "ensuring vessel delivery," actively built a "four beams and eight pillars" management system, deepened production process reforms, and shown a positive and improving development trend.

Recently, the three major bases of Wuhu Shipyard in Weihai, Nantong, and Wuhu have been delivering frequent good news, successively achieving key milestones for multiple projects and demonstrating an unstoppable momentum in the second-quarter offensive.

Keel laying of the 38,000 DWT chemical tanker Hull No. 4

On June 1, the 38,000 DWT chemical tanker Hull No. 4 commenced construction smoothly at Wuhu Shipyard's main facility. The vessel continues the green design standards and represents a step-up achievement for Wuhu Shipyard in the field of chemical tanker construction.

On the eve of construction start, the four departments—design, procurement, production, and quality inspection—worked in synergy, further compressing the preliminary preparation period through the "daily clearance, daily settlement" work method. Front-line teams put forward over 30 optimization suggestions covering process interfacing, equipment pre-embedding, precision control, and other aspects, truly transforming the "invisible hard work" into the confidence that construction can begin with high efficiency from day one.

Docking of the 89,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier

On May 29, the Nantong Base held its opening ceremony and the docking ceremony for Guohang Ocean Shipping Group's 89,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier at Dock No. 3, announcing the base's official entry into operation.

The 89,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is a representative of green and low-carbon vessel types, well aligned with the green transformation trend of the shipping industry. Its simultaneous docking and construction mark the transition of the Nantong Base from the construction phase to the production phase. CCS Nantong Office representatives and the shipowner's representatives fully affirmed the construction quality at the base on site, and provided guidance and suggestions on quality control and safe production.

One-and-a-half shipbuilding method" sets the pace

On May 29, after the half-ship shifting milestone for Hull 18527 was completed, the assembly shop at Wuhu Main Base promptly cleared the area and laid out markings, and the B12C block of Hull 18526 was smoothly placed onto the berth.

Milestones never miss a beat, production never stops" — the erection workshop worked in close coordination with the process and methodology department, using "space in exchange for time" to shorten the slipway idle period, achieving seamless interfacing between preceding and succeeding processes. This practice marks that Wuhu Shipyard's "one-and-a-half shipbuilding method" has entered a fast track of high efficiency and normalization, accumulating replicable management experience for the batch construction of subsequent series vessels.

Keel laying of the 40,800 DWT MR oil/chemical tanker No. 4

Recently, construction of the 40,800 DWT IMO Type II product/chemical tanker commenced smoothly at the Weihai base. This is the fourth vessel in its series.

The vessel has an overall length of 180 m, a molded breadth of 32 m, and a molded depth of 16.5 m. Its main and auxiliary engines are equipped with a high-pressure SCR system, meeting IMO Tier III emission standards. It is powered by a MAN 6S50ME-C9.7-HPSCR engine, enabling low fuel consumption across all speeds. Drawing on the construction experience from the first three vessels in the series, the Weihai base has steadily improved its intelligent batch-building capabilities—key processes such as plate cutting and component processing have become increasingly standardized, with material compatibility and process interfacing well coordinated, providing strong support for the construction of the fourth vessel.

18,500 DWT chemical tanker No. 18515 launched by roll-on/roll-off method

On May 27, the 18,500 DWT IMO Type II chemical tanker Hull No. 18515 was successfully launched via the roll-on/roll-off method at the Nantong Base. This was the first application of the Ro-Ro launching technique at the Nantong Base, marking a new breakthrough in shipbuilding technology.

Compared with traditional slipway launching, this process offers core advantages such as a higher safety coefficient, uniform hull stress distribution, and strong attitude controllability, effectively avoiding risks of structural deformation and listing. Hull No. 18515 has an overall length of 149.8 m, a molded breadth of 22.80 m, and a molded depth of 12.70 m, with a design speed of 14 knots. It is equipped with a methanol-ready dual-fuel main engine, aligning with the green shipping development trend. During construction, the project team optimized the construction process, strengthened on-site coordination, and scientifically managed structural building, power pre-embedding, and auxiliary installation, ensuring the vessel was safely launched in good condition.

From the leapfrog advancement in batch construction capability at the Weihai base, to the Ro-Ro launch technology breakthrough and the official opening of the Nantong base, and to the onschedule construction starts in Wuhu, Wuhu Shipyard is continuously deepening its focus on the green and intelligent vessel sector with the pragmatic spirit of "pooling collective wisdom and effort." Moving forward, the company will consolidate its lean production and precisioncontrolled construction system, further enhance its standardized and batchbuilding capabilities for series vessels, and deliver more green, efficient, highquality vessels to shipping customers.