On June 23, the 93,000 cubic meter Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC) built by Hengli Heavy Industry was successfully launched, becoming the world’s first VLAC built on a slipway and launched.
This launching operation was completed using the shipyard’s floating dock, pioneering a new model for the safe launching of ultra-large special gas vessels. Leveraging its high-quality lifting equipment and advanced launching technology, Hengli Heavy Industry broke the industry’s traditional practice of “building large gas carriers in dry docks,” setting a new industry benchmark for VLAC construction in terms of efficiency, quality, and safety management.
During the ship construction process, Hengli Heavy Industry fully utilized its advantages as the world’s most comprehensively equipped shipbuilding base, achieving independent production of the ship’s cargo tanks.
During the lifting phase of the cargo tanks, the advantages of Hengli Heavy Industry’s high-end lifting equipment were fully demonstrated. Berth No. 4 is equipped with two large gantry cranes with lifting capacities of 900 tons and 1500 tons. An innovative dual gantry crane coordinated lifting process was adopted to efficiently and high-quality complete the precise lifting and installation of the ultra-large cargo tanks, significantly improving tank alignment accuracy and construction efficiency.
At the same time, the vessel is also equipped with an LPG dual-fuel engine manufactured independently by Hengli Heavy Industry. From cargo tanks to the dual-fuel power system, Hengli Heavy Industry has achieved a high degree of independent supporting for VLAC core equipment, giving it advantages in delivery cycle, construction cost, and quality management.
During the slipway construction period, the project team composed of technical personnel and the construction team worked together efficiently with lean management. They innovatively tackled key aspects such as block assembly, low-temperature steel welding, tank lifting and transport, and precision control, successfully overcoming numerous technical challenges in large gas carrier construction. This ensured high-quality construction and efficient launching of the vessel, and also accumulated valuable experience for the subsequent batch construction of VLACs.
It is understood that in September 2024, Hengli Heavy Industry received an order from Hengli Group for four 93,000 cubic meter VLACs, the world’s largest, becoming the second private shipbuilding enterprise in China to enter the ultra-large liquefied gas carrier market after Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. Earlier this year, all four new vessels were resold, with two sold to Dubai shipowner Emarat Maritime and the other two to an anonymous shipowner.
Additionally, in April this year, Emarat Maritime placed an additional order with Hengli Heavy Industry for two more 93,000 cubic meter VLACs, to be delivered in 2028.
In recent years, Hengli Heavy Industry has developed rapidly. As of now, Hengli Heavy Industry has started construction on 152 ships, with over 80,000 on-site workers, an annual steel processing capacity of 3 million tons. It is expected to deliver 82 ships this year, increasing to 120 next year, and potentially exceeding 200 in 2028.
At the same time, Hengli Heavy Industry is advancing the construction of its Phase III “Innovation Factory” and Phase IV “Revitalization Factory.” Currently, the first batch of workshops has been put into operation. The two newly built world-class super dry docks can simultaneously build 12 24,000 TEU ultra-large container ships, further enhancing its batch construction capability for high-end vessels.
In the future, Hengli Heavy Industry will closely focus on the goal of “building world-class ships, building ships that can set global prices,” and continue to promote the advancement of its full range of ship types—covering bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, and gas carriers—towards high-end, green, and intelligent development, striving unremittingly to contribute to the construction of a strong shipbuilding nation and a strong maritime nation!
