On March 5, the 115,000 DWT Aframax crude oil tanker “Kaiper”, built by Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Heavy Industry”) under China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. for China Merchants Energy Shipping, was named and delivered.
The “Kaiper” has an overall length of approximately 243 meters, a molded breadth of 44 meters, a molded depth of 21 meters, a design draft of 13.5 meters, and a scantling draft of 15 meters. Its design speed is 14.5 knots, with a deadweight of 114,800 tons. Its cargo holds can carry over 800,000 barrels of crude oil products. Both the main engine and generators meet the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III emission standards. The main engine and generators employ HPSCR and LPSCR respectively, giving it superior operational performance, economic efficiency, energy-saving, and green environmental performance compared to similar vessels, resulting in strong market competitiveness. It is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and flies the Liberian flag.
Facing the challenge of a tight construction schedule, DSIC Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Heavy Industry coordinated planning, with various departments collaborating to overcome difficulties, ensuring the orderly progress of key node construction and providing strong support for the sea trials. The cumulative sea trial time was 162 hours, including 120 hours for inspection and 73 hours of main engine operation. Over 50 key tests such as speed measurement and fuel consumption measurement were successively completed. All performance indicators of the vessel exceeded design and regulatory requirements, receiving high praise from the shipowner and classification society.
The successful delivery of the “Kaiper” not only demonstrates the years of tacit cooperation and full mutual trust between the two parties in the field of ship and tanker construction but also serves as a vivid practice in implementing the national strategy of building a strong manufacturing, quality, technological, and transportation nation, actively developing new quality productive forces, and promoting high-quality development.
By Gan Chen, All-Media Reporter; Correspondent Zhang Tuo
