On July 9, Wuchang Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), successfully commenced construction on the ninth vessel in the 18,500 DWT product oil/chemical tanker series for Greek company Athenian Sea Carriers, while the third vessel in the series achieved its launching milestone.
Attending the keel-laying ceremony for the ninth vessel were Constantin Voicu, the owner’s site manager, representatives from Lloyd’s Register, and department heads from Wuchang Shipbuilding.
As the ninth vessel in the 18,500 DWT series, Wuchang Shipbuilding leveraged lessons learned from the construction of the previous eight ships. By optimizing outfitting installation processes and continuously improving pre-outfitting rates in line with production line flow design, the shipyard enhanced construction techniques. The series features 12 specially coated cargo oil tanks, with on-berth special coating operations effectively shortening the construction cycle and reducing costs.
During the design phase, Wuchang Shipbuilding conducted comprehensive risk assessments across all processes, integrating safety, quality requirements, and risk mitigation measures into both design and production. The shipyard also actively incorporated professional feedback from the shipowner and classification society to boost efficiency and ensure high-quality project execution.
Moving forward, Wuchang Shipbuilding will leverage its “four-in-one” capabilities—integrating design, production, and management—to advance technical updates for the series. By strengthening lean management, the shipyard aims to accelerate construction progress and achieve batch production of small and medium-sized chemical tankers.
The same day also saw the successful launching of the series’ third vessel.
This year, Wuchang Shipbuilding has driven lean production through lean management, applying core techniques like “grouping,” “balancing,” and “flow” to stabilize the “three-block, three-phase” berth model. By adopting “zonal and modular” construction principles, the shipyard rapidly improved production efficiency and output. The smooth progress of this series reflects the success of Wuchang’s berth production line optimization.
During construction, the project team capitalized on standardized shipbuilding advantages, pooling resources and solidifying best practices. Key improvements included refining special coating processes for cargo tanks, optimizing bulkhead fabrication, and enhancing installation techniques for cargo oil pumps and cooling systems. Innovations such as post-welding pressing for varying-thickness corrugated bulkheads, rapid positioning with adjustable supports, and the first-time use of automated welding on small-curved side panels boosted welding quality and efficiency, shortening berth cycles. Notably, the third vessel’s berth cycle was reduced by 12% and its coating cycle by 18% compared to the first vessel.
Despite extreme heat, Wuchang Shipbuilding’s workforce collaborated closely with the owner and inspectors, demonstrating resilience to meet all milestones. Currently, the first vessel is undergoing sea trials, the second is in mooring tests, the fourth and fifth are on the berth, and the sixth to eighth are in block fabrication.
Next, the project team will prioritize mooring tests and trial voyages to ensure on-time delivery.
Athenian Sea Carriers has ordered ten 18,500 DWT product oil/chemical tankers from Wuchang Shipbuilding. The vessels measure 149.8 meters in length, 22.8 meters in beam, and 12.7 meters in depth, with a design draft of 8.5 meters. They offer a range of 10,000 nautical miles at 13 knots and are classed by Lloyd’s Register.
Designed for unlimited navigation, these Type II & III tankers transport product oil and chemicals. Compared to peers, they feature lower fuel consumption, higher speed, and greater cargo capacity. Equipped with variable-frequency electric cargo pumps for flexible operations and cost efficiency, the vessels are LNG-ready, methanol-ready, and ICE 1C-classed. They also incorporate advanced 6.6KV shore power systems and unmanned engine rooms, positioning them as a new generation of high-tech, eco-friendly chemical tankers.
