On December 13, the world’s largest and most technologically advanced shiplift, constructed by Zhenhua Offshore Engineering, successfully completed its installation and core commissioning. This milestone marks a significant phase achievement in the core equipment of the “super shipyard” project at Saudi Arabia’s Saudi King Port.
The newly installed shiplift measures 245 meters in length and 45.4 meters in width, covering an area of approximately 11,000 square meters—enough to accommodate 26 standard basketball courts laid out simultaneously. Its maximum lifting capacity reaches 36,400 tons, equivalent to the weight of a light aircraft carrier, with both core metrics setting new world records.
This shiplift integrates lifting, transfer, and towing functions into a single unit. Featuring complex structures and precision engineering, it comprises 17 ship lift platforms, 56 sets of hoisting winches (achieving the world’s largest-scale synchronized operation for the first time, capable of jointly lifting 24,000 tons), 98 transfer trolleys, and supporting towing systems. This further demonstrates China’s leading capabilities in the field of ultra-large, intelligent port machinery.
Zhenhua Offshore Engineering stated that the commissioning of this “super ship elevator” will significantly enhance the maintenance support and launching efficiency for large vessels in the Middle East. It will powerfully advance Saudi Arabia’s development as an international shipping and logistics hub, while also setting a new benchmark for “Chinese smart manufacturing” in participating in the construction of global high-end industrial chains.
The Saudi King Port project is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” national reform program. King Salman personally laid the foundation stone and christened it. Upon completion, the project will become the world’s largest shipbuilding and repair base, capable of building and repairing a wide range of vessels, including supertankers, and offshore platforms. Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (ZPMC) is responsible for the manufacture of key components, including the dock gates, shiplift systems, launching barges, pontoons, and dry dock towing systems for dry docks No. 2, 4, and 5.
The project is undertaken by PowerChina’s Shandong Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd. and started in December 2019. The main land-based project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and part of the sea-based project will be completed by 2025.
The main construction scope includes the following facilities: 3 ship repair docks, 3 shipbuilding docks, 1 offshore engineering dock, 2 offshore engineering slipways, 1 ship lift with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes, 1 shiplift with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes, 5 horizontal berths, 5 jetty piers and 10 quay piers, with a total quay length of 4,100 meters. Covering a total area of approximately 515 hectares, the project will comprise four production zones (Ship Repair Zone, Engineering Vessel Repair and Construction Zone, Large Shipbuilding Zone, and Offshore Equipment Zone) as well as a Living Zone, with a total building area of 1.03 million square meters.
Public records indicate that since 2024, multiple key facilities of the Saudi King Port project—involving participation from several Chinese enterprises—have been handed over to the owner, including the hull workshop and dry dock. Leveraging these delivered facilities, the shipyard operator International Maritime Industries (IMI) commenced construction of offshore drilling platforms in 2024.
IMI was established in 2017 as a joint venture led by Saudi Aramco, in partnership with Saudi Arabian National Shipping Line (Bahri), UAE-based drilling rig manufacturer Lamprell, and South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
With the partial commissioning of its shipyard facilities, IMI announced in early 2025 that it had secured an order from ARO Drilling for a jack-up drilling rig. Upon delivery, it will be the first jack-up rig entirely constructed within Saudi Arabia. In October, Bahri announced an order for six Ultramax bulk carriers from IMI, marking the shipyard’s first bulk carrier contract. With a total value of approximately $203 million, the vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029. Separate reports indicate Bahri is considering placing an order for 20 VLCCs with IMI, though no further details are currently available.