On December 19, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group under China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) successfully delivered the third 18,500 DWT product/chemical tanker custom-built for Greece’s Athenian Sea Carriers.
Representatives from Athenian Sea Carriers, SeaQuest, LR Classification Society, China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), Wuchang Shipbuilding, and other parties gathered at the venue to jointly witness this significant moment showcasing the achievements of China-Europe shipping equipment cooperation.
As one of ten vessels in the same series being built in batches by Wuchang Shipbuilding, the successful delivery of Vessel No. 3 marks the project’s entry into a critical phase of efficient contract fulfillment. With an overall length of 149.8 meters, a beam of 22.8 meters, and a service speed of 13 knots, the vessel is classed by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and possesses unlimited navigation capabilities. It is designed to meet IMO Class II and III requirements for the transportation of chemicals and product oils.
The vessel features a methanol/LNG dual-fuel ready design, equipped with a 6.6KV high-voltage shore power system and an unmanned engine room configuration. It not only meets the latest IMO Tier III emissions requirements and EEDI Phase III energy efficiency standards but also achieves core advantages of lower fuel consumption and greater cargo capacity through technological innovations such as CFD-optimized hull form and high-efficiency propeller application. Its carbon footprint is significantly lower than that of mainstream vessels in the market.
Wuchang Shipbuilding, guided by lean manufacturing principles, systematically summarizes its experience from previous ship construction projects, continuously promotes innovation in processes and methods, optimizes construction procedures, refines technical and management standards, and comprehensively improves the quality and efficiency of shipbuilding.
Athenian Sea Carriers, a long-established shipping enterprise operated by Greece’s Kyriakou family, has progressively focused on the chemical tanker segment since its strategic transformation in 2021. The ongoing delivery of this 10-vessel series order represents a core initiative to deepen cooperation with China and expand its green fleet. Following delivery, the vessels were immediately deployed into service. Their stable operational performance and efficient operational benefits have laid a solid foundation for further strengthening the partnership between both parties.
With the delivery of the Vessel No. 3, the Vessel No. 4 in the same series has already begun sea trials, the Vessel No. 5 has been launched, and subsequent vessels are progressing steadily according to the planned construction schedule. Wuchang Shipbuilding will continue to consolidate its advantages in the mass production of small and medium-sized chemical tankers, empowering the global shipping industry’s low-carbon transition through green and intelligent technological innovation, and further enhancing Wuchang Shipbuilding’s core competitiveness in the international high-end shipbuilding market.