During the 2025 China Maritime, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding’s (SWS) independently developed designs for three types of green vessels successfully obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) certificates from Lloyd’s Register (LR). This achievement demonstrates the shipyard’s forward-looking strategy and formidable capabilities in high-end vessel design.
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding’s latest large-scale gas carrier is specifically designed to meet the needs of the China-U.S. ethane shipping trade. The vessel’s primary dimensions have been optimized to fully accommodate navigation conditions in the Houston waterway system. Equipped with Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding’s independently developed independent Type B liquid cargo containment system, the vessel boasts a total cargo tank capacity of 102,000 cubic meters.
Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has optimized and upgraded its mature products by refining the main dimensions and overall layout of the 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, significantly enhancing its nominal container weight and cargo capacity. This project features optimized layout and dimensions for the LNG fuel tanks, along with increased tank capacity. The design also incorporates flexibility for ammonia-ready provisions, enabling rapid conversion to ammonia fuel. This represents a ship design solution oriented toward achieving “green zero-carbon” operations.
The latest 300,000 DWT ammonia dual-fuel VLCC developed by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding features a zero-carbon fuel design. This vessel configuration includes two 4,700m³ Type C tanks for ammonia fuel storage, positioned above the main deck in the cargo hold area. The propulsion system utilizes WinGD 7X82DF-A-1.0 series two-stroke low-speed engines operating in liquid fuel mode, equipped with corresponding supply systems. This project conducted a Hazard Identification (HAZID) analysis based on the IMO’s Interim Guidelines for the Use of Ammonia as a Marine Fuel (MSC.1 Circ.1687). This provided a clearer understanding of ammonia fuel requirements and potential risk points, laying the technical groundwork for undertaking actual shipbuilding projects.
CSSC exhibition booth drew significant attention by displaying detailed models of four landmark vessels: the domestically built large cruise ship Adora Huacheng, the versatile Fast4ward® FPSO, the 180,000 dwt dual-fuel bulk carrier, and the deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform “Haiyang Shiyou 981”.
This achievement highlights SWS’s commitment to leading the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable fuels. The exhibition success coincided with the triumphant conclusion of SWS’s 2025 delivery program. The company set a new annual record by delivering 29 vessels, totaling 2.7065 million deadweight tons, surpassing its target by an impressive 7 ships. The display of iconic models, recognition of next-generation green designs, and the announcement of record-breaking deliveries together underscore SWS’s comprehensive strength and its pivotal role in shaping a greener, smarter, and more advanced future for global shipbuilding.