Recently, Chinese shipbuilder Zhejiang Xinle Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (Xinle Shipbuilding) celebrated two major events on the same day: the steel cutting of a new ship and the signing of a new ship construction order.
On September 15, Xinle Shipbuilding held a joint breaking-ground ceremony for a 20,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering vessel and a 38,000 DWT cement carrier, marking the official commencement of construction for both new vessels.
According to previous reports, the 20,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering vessel now under construction at Xinle Shipbuilding was ordered by Hong Kong-based Sea Kapital Holdings Limited. The two parties signed a contract earlier this year for the construction of 2+2+2 vessels of this type, with the first vessel scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026 and the second in 2027. Each vessel is valued at approximately $86 million.
This marks the first time in many years that Xinle Shipbuilding has undertaken the construction of an LNG bunkering vessel. The new vessel shares numerous common features and technical characteristics with the previously delivered 30,000 cubic meter LNG carrier, positioning it to become a flagship product for the company and its partners in the clean energy shipping sector.
The 38,000 DWT cement carrier was ordered by NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers, the world’s largest owner of cement carriers and a long-standing client of Xinle Shipbuilding. In July 2024, the two parties signed a contract for the construction of one 38,000 DWT methanol-ready cement carriers, with an option for two vessels coming into effect in December of the same year.
It is reported that this is the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly cement carrier, with a methanol dual-fuel reserved design, a total length of 179.9 meters, a width of 31 meters, a designed draft of 9.5 meters. The vessel is equipped with an Organic Rankine Cycle Waste Heat Recovery (ORC-WHR) power generation system and will also utilize a bubble drag reduction system.
NovaAlgoma has maintained a 20-year partnership with Xinle Shipbuilding, having placed orders for over 40 vessels with the shipyard.
It is worth noting that on the day the new vessel was started, NovaAlgoma signed a contract with Xinle Shipbuilding to build another 38,000 DWT cement carrier.
According to its official website, Xinle Shipbuilding is a shipbuilding enterprise with over fifty years of history. It currently operates one 50,000-ton dry dock and one 30,000-ton dry dock; two 10,000-ton slipways; two 160-meter-long 30,000-ton outfitting quays; one 700-ton gantry crane; two 200-ton gantry cranes; and two 100-ton gantry cranes.