Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival! Delivery of the 18,500 DWT Chemical Tanker M/T SHAMAL

As dragon boats race at the Dragon Boat Festival, Wuhu Shipyard races ahead in shipbuilding.

Recently, the Company completed the signing and delivery of the 18,500 DWT chemical tanker M/T SHAMAL, built for the UK-based owner Union Maritime Limited. From sea trial to delivery in just 38 days, this "Dragon Boat Speed" set a new record for the shortest cycle in the Company's history.

During the sea trial, multiple technical challenges intertwined, posing a severe test to the project's progress. In the face of these difficulties, the project team responded swiftly upon receiving the orders, closely coordinating with the owner, classification society, and various equipment suppliers. They strategically deployed superior resources, formulated scientific response plans, and overcame each obstacle one by one, successfully completing all sea trial test items.

Upon return, it was a sprint; upon docking, it was a decisive battle. All team members raced against the clock with seamless coordination, immediately plunging into the final quay-side delivery phase. After the vessel completed its shifting operation, the team efficiently completed the hoisting of the sail cylinder units at a remarkable pace of "one unit per day," setting a new efficiency record for similar operations. After 27 days of continuous hard work, all outstanding issues on board were fully resolved, and the vessel was successfully signed over for delivery, offering a substantial gift to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.

M/T SHAMAL is one of 18 vessels ordered by Union Maritime Limited at Wuhu Shipyard. The vessel has an overall length of 149.80m, a moulded breadth of 22.80m, a moulded depth of 12.70m, a deadweight of 18,500 tons, and a design draft of 8.50m. In terms of design, the vessel features a methanol dual-fuel ready design, is equipped with an advanced single-screw propulsion system and 1C ice-class strengthening, and is innovatively fitted with two Norsepower rotor sails, making it a future-oriented benchmark vessel that leads the green shipping transformation.

The rapid delivery of M/T SHAMAL fully demonstrates the Company‘s efficient and mature project management capabilities and its proven strength in overcoming challenges. The project team consistently upheld the firm belief of “quality as our dignity,” responding swiftly and collaboratively to various difficulties with outstanding professionalism. Leveraging years of accumulated expertise, Wuhu Shipyard has now established a diversified product portfolio encompassing tankers, new-energy vessels, offshore vessels, and specialized vessels. This efficient delivery not only accumulates valuable hands-on experience for the construction of the same series but also further solidifies the Company’s core competitive advantages in the high-value-added shipbuilding segment.