Superstructure Unit Integrity Fully Achieved! The 18,500 DWT Chemical Tanker Was Launched Today

On June 18, the fifth 18,500 DWT chemical tanker (No. 18525) built by Wuhu Shipyard for Hong Kong-based owner EGPN was successfully launched on the banks of the Yangtze River. All members of the Company's construction project team, the Owner's on-site supervision team, and the site surveyors from Bureau Veritas (BV) gathered at the site to witness the event together.

Since the start of construction, the project team has adhered to the building principle of "enhancing integrity, ensuring milestones, and optimizing quality," thoroughly implementing the production method combining serial construction on the inclined berth with block assembly. The superstructure unit of this vessel was delivered with high integrity on May 26 and completed off-site transfer, marking the first instance in the construction of this series where the superstructure unit achieved full-dimensional prefabrication and completion. Meanwhile, all key engineering tasks prior to launching have been essentially completed. The hull, piping system, propulsion machinery, electrical system, outfitting, and tank systems have progressed in an orderly manner, and the key process inspections have all met the design accuracy requirements. This signifies that the production goal of "commissioning upon launching" is gradually turning from concept into reality.

As a flagship product of Wuhu Shipyard, the 18,500 DWT IMO Type II chemical tanker series has long been highly recognized by both domestic and international shipowners. The vessel has an overall length of 149.8m, a moulded depth of 12.7m, and a design speed of 14.0 knots. The hull has been optimized through streamlined design, equipped with high-efficiency energy-saving propellers and dedicated energy-saving guide vanes, effectively reducing sailing resistance and improving navigation efficiency. Compared with conventional chemical tankers of the same class, this vessel achieves significant reductions in both fuel consumption and total carbon emissions, fully complying with the latest green shipping emission reduction regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It combines excellent navigation performance, low operational costs, and stringent environmental standards, precisely matching the mainstream demand of the global shipping market for low-carbon transformation and refined operations.

With the successful launching of No. 18525, the vessel will now fully enter the quay commissioning phase. Works such as equipment integration commissioning, system acceptance and trial preparation will proceed as scheduled, as the team strives toward onschedule, highquality delivery. The Company’s project team continues to implement the tiered lean construction strategy of “perfect block, perfect grand block, perfect halfship,” steadily shortening berth occupancy time, enhancing launch integrity, and continuously improving construction efficiency and quality, so as to respond to our customers’ trust with highquality product delivery.