On July 10, the 18,500 DWT oil/chemical tanker (DN18500-4), built by Southeast Shipbuilding under Fujian Shipbuilding, was successfully delivered. This marks the successful completion of the DN18500 series of 18,500 DWT oil/chemical tankers constructed for a British shipowner.
The vessel has an overall length of 149.8 meters, a beam of 22.8 meters, a depth of 12.7 meters, and a design draft of 8.5 meters. It is primarily designed to transport refined oil, vegetable oil, and bulk chemicals (Class II and III) with a flashpoint ≤60°C, complying with IBC regulations. Featuring a shallow draft and large cargo capacity, the vessel meets the requirements for unlimited navigation zones. It adopts a methanol dual-fuel-ready design, complying with IMO Tier III emission standards, and can be retrofitted in the future to operate on clean methanol fuel.
In terms of energy efficiency, the vessel is equipped with two rotor sails produced by Finland’s Norsepower. Utilizing the Magnus effect, these sails provide additional propulsion under suitable wind conditions. They automatically adjust rotation speed and deflection angle based on wind direction and speed, reducing the required output power of the main propulsion system at the same speed, thereby lowering fuel costs and emissions.
Fujian Shipbuilding actively advanced the R&D, procurement, and construction of this project. Through seamless coordination in block construction and dock assembly, optimized resource allocation, process advancement, and improved special coating techniques, the company significantly shortened the special coating cycle for cargo oil tanks. It also successfully overcame challenges such as installing additional sail bases, which increased dock assembly pressure. The construction quality and speed of the series vessels showed substantial improvements compared to the first ship.
During the construction of the 18,500 DWT oil/chemical tanker series, Fujian Shipbuilding innovatively adopted a “three-site collaborative advancement” model, integrating resources from key facilities such as the Mawei Division and Southeast Division. This fostered a competitive environment characterized by “problem-solving, knowledge-sharing, and performance surpassing.”
Additionally, leveraging the integrated shipbuilding platform, the company achieved precise control over materials and equipment, fully digitized quality management, and enabled the collection, quantification, and application of key data. The introduction of intelligent production lines, such as the “small assembly intelligent welding production line” and “preliminary small assembly intelligent welding workstation,” allowed for real-time monitoring and control of production line data through a digital information collection system. These systems also ensured precise and efficient cutting, processing, and part marking, driving the effective integration of “manufacturing + smart manufacturing” and transitioning from “scale and speed” to “quality and efficiency.”
