On the morning of September 26, the naming and delivery ceremony for the first 25,900 DWT stainless steel chemical tanker, the “XT SEA LION,” built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Wuchang Shipbuilding in conjunction with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. for Xingtong Marine Shipping Co., Ltd., was held in Jingjiang, Jiangsu.
The “XT SEA LION” is the first domestic 25,900 DWT methanol dual-fuel stainless steel chemical tanker, and it is also the largest tonnage chemical tanker built by Wuchang Shipbuilding in the Yangtze River region to date. The successful delivery of this vessel marks a new height in China’s design and construction level for high-end chemical tankers, further demonstrating the strength of “Intelligent Manufacturing in China” and providing a “Chinese Solution” for the green transformation of the global chemical shipping industry.
Attending the ceremony were Chen Qilong, Vice Chairman and President of Xingtong Shares; Peng Chuiding, Chairman of the Quangang District Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Quanzhou City; the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Gao Liling; Huang Wei, Deputy General Manager of the Fuzhou Branch of Fujian Province, China CITIC Bank; Song Aimin, General Manager of the Central China Region of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); Li Chen, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Odely; Shrinath Hegde, General Manager of Anglo-Eastern Ship Management; Lai Lihua, Deputy General Manager of the Third Department of Ship and Ocean Business at China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd.; and Chi Benbin, Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Wuchang Shipbuilding, among others.
Peng Chuiding, Chairman of the Quangang District CPPCC, stated that Xingtong Shares has achieved significant performance growth in recent years. The newly delivered “XT SEA LION,” integrating green power and intelligent technology, serves as a model for leading the green development of the shipping industry. He expressed hope that Xingtong Shares would seize the opportunities presented by the “Maritime Power” strategy, accelerate high-end and intelligent upgrades, and affirmed that the Quangang District Party Committee and government would continue to optimize the business environment to support the company’s growth and strengthening.
Chi Benbin, General Manager of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd., stated that the smooth delivery of the first 25,900 DWT stainless steel chemical tanker is the result of close cooperation between Wuchang Shipbuilding and Xingtong Shares, as well as the strong support of industry partners. During the construction of this first-in-class vessel, thanks to the professional supervision of the Xingtong Shares team, the rigorous oversight of ABS, the innovative design from Shanghai Odely, and the full support of all partners, numerous challenges were overcome, ensuring today’s successful delivery. This delivery also stands as a monument to the sincere cooperation, mutual benefit, and trust among the various parties.
Li Chen, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., stated that this vessel is the highest-configured and best-performing model in the series of chemical tankers designed by Odely, possessing strong international competitiveness. The successful cooperation with Xingtong Shares, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry, and ABS marks the opening of a new chapter for all parties in the international chemical transport market and provides the industry with a more economical and environmentally friendly ship option.
Song Aimin, General Manager of the Central China Region of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), stated that the vessel’s receipt of the ABS “Methanol Fuel Ready” class notation is an important milestone in the joint efforts of all parties to advance the decarbonization of global shipping. ABS highly appreciates the cooperative achievements with partners like Xingtong Shares and Wuchang Shipbuilding and looks forward to continued collaboration in more advanced projects to jointly address the challenges facing the marine and offshore industries.
Chen Qilong, Vice Chairman and President of Xingtong Marine Shipping Co., Ltd., stated that the “XT SEA LION” is the first domestic 25,900-ton class methanol dual-fuel stainless steel chemical tanker, characterized by green and low-carbon features, high-end intelligence, and global service capability. As the company’s flagship vessel, the delivery of the “XT SEA LION” is a significant milestone for Xingtong Shares in moving towards high-quality development in global chemical shipping and will significantly enhance the fleet’s core competitiveness. For China’s shipbuilding industry, this vessel is the result of cooperation between Xingtong Shares and top domestic teams like Wuchang Shipbuilding, marking a new height in China’s design and construction level for high-end chemical tankers and reflecting the strength of “Intelligent Manufacturing in China.” For the global shipping market, its “greener and safer” methanol dual-fuel solution injects “Chinese Power” into the industry’s transformation during the critical period of global shipping’s shift towards “green.”
The “XT SEA LION” is the first of six sister ships planned for construction since Xingtong Shares and Wuchang Shipbuilding signed a strategic cooperation agreement in 2023. Its maiden voyage will be on the route from South Korea to Chile. The vessel is entrusted to the world’s largest ship management company, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. Leveraging Anglo-Eastern’s global network and professional service system, it will provide market customers with high-quality, high-value shipping services.
The vessel is 158.98 meters long, 27.00 meters wide, and 14.20 meters deep, with a tank capacity of 29,500 cubic meters. It integrates the comprehensive advantages of green and low-carbon operation, high-end intelligence, and global service. Equipped with 2205 duplex stainless steel cargo tanks, finely divided into 22 independent tanks, it can flexibly adapt to a wide range of cargo lists, achieve diverse and efficient cargo loading, and meet complex transportation needs.
The vessel is classed by ABS. Compared to similar vessel types, its overall performance parameters show significant advantages in fuel economy, loading capacity, and tank capacity utilization. The vessel is equipped with an advanced intelligent ship management system integrating four core functions: intelligent navigation, intelligent engine room, intelligent energy efficiency, and intelligent information integration. This system can collect real-time data on the vessel’s navigation status, equipment operating parameters, and key system energy consumption, enabling integrated processing of ship information. Based on big data analysis, it facilitates intelligent decision-making and precise control, significantly enhancing the vessel’s intelligent operation level.
The vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) meets Phase 3 requirements. Both the main engine and generator sets are equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, and exhaust emissions fully comply with IMO Tier III standards. It is powered by a MAN 5S50ME-C9.7-EcoEGR main engine with a design speed of 14 knots. It has received ABS environmental additional notations such as ENVIRO, Methanol Fuel Ready Level 1C, and EEDI-PH3, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a perfect combination of green shipping and economic efficiency. The vessel is also configured with a methanol dual-fuel READY main engine, reserving technical space for future fuel upgrades and demonstrating foresight in green shipping.
Since the contract was signed, Wuchang Shipbuilding, focusing on customer needs and紧紧围绕 the goal of “creating a high-quality product and setting a benchmark,” has fully leveraged its role as the “chain leader” in the industrial chain. By collaborating with the shipowner, designer, ship surveyor, and supply chain partners, it has actively promoted the widespread application of domestic supporting systems and equipment.
The project assembled the best resources and deployed the strongest team, forming several Party member assault teams and conducting labor competitions. It successively broke through key technologies such as the overall processing of duplex stainless steel, EGR operation of the methanol dual-fuel main engine, integrated installation of liquid cargo pipes, and SCR system installation. Successfully, the “XT SEA LION” was built into a benchmark vessel with superior performance, safety, and efficiency, achieving the goal of “exceeding customer expectations and shaping the Wuchang Shipbuilding brand.”
In recent years, Wuchang Shipbuilding has targeted market opportunities and successfully established small and medium-sized chemical tankers as its main product line, having delivered series of chemical tankers including 7200 DWT, 9200 DWT, 14620 DWT, 18500 DWT, and 19700 DWT.
The successful delivery of the “XT SEA LION” will not only vigorously promote the second-generation upgrade of chemical tankers but will also further consolidate Wuchang Shipbuilding’s market position in the international and domestic small and medium-sized chemical tanker segments.
Currently, Wuchang Shipbuilding holds orders for more than 30 vessels, including 25,900 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers and 18,500 DWT product /chemical tankers, which are being constructed orderly according to a new model of batch, flow, and rhythmic shipbuilding.
