On January 6, Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering named and delivered the 55,000 DWT deck carrier “Fanzhou 7” for Jiangsu Fanzhou Shipping. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, signifying its transition from “zero” to “one” in this field.
The delivery of this 55,000 DWT deck carrier marks the first vessel constructed at the Qidong base, signifying the formal establishment of Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s comprehensive shipbuilding capabilities in Qidong. This achievement also provides invaluable experience for the construction of subsequent vessels.
The “Fanzhou 7” vessel incorporates advanced design concepts and environmentally friendly technologies, demonstrating industry-leading standards in energy efficiency, safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. During its construction, the vessel overcame a series of challenges, including the complexity of the airbag launching process, its immense weight, and tight deadlines. It set a domestic record for the heaviest vessel launched using this method and ultimately completed all construction and testing tasks ahead of schedule.
The vessel measures 256 meters in overall length and 51 meters in beam, serving as a multi-purpose self-propelled heavy-lift deck carrier. It is primarily designed to transport large integrated modules, wind power equipment, major ship steel structures, and offshore platform modules. Featuring a flat and spacious deck area, it can safely load oversized cargo of various shapes and dimensions. The design incorporates advanced technologies including superballast and PR-2 (Redundant Propulsion System). Upon completion, it will serve as a vital tool for China’s marine resource development and offshore clean energy utilization.
Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering entered into operation on August 1, 2025, on the site formerly occupied by Jiangsu Hongqiang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (Jiangsu Hongqiang Heavy Industry). Prior to Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s official commencement of operations, construction had already commenced on the “Panzhou 7.”
It is understood that Jiangsu Hongqiang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry was established in 2005 with a registered capital of 300 million yuan. It is a large-scale offshore engineering and shipbuilding enterprise. On November 9, 2017, Jiangsu Hongqiang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry was acquired by Shandong Taishan Pectroleum for 210 million yuan. However, in early 2018, Taishan Petrochemical ceased financial support, causing Hongqiang Heavy Industry to halt operations once again.
On June 21, 2023, the administrators of Hongqiang Heavy Industry released an announcement soliciting investors for bankruptcy reorganization.
In August 2024, Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering successfully acquired the core assets of Jiangsu Hongqiang Heavy Industry through a judicial auction for 440 million yuan. The acquired assets include all of Hongqiang Heavy Industry’s buildings totaling 56,352.42 square meters, one wharf, three shipways for vessels ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 tons, usage rights to 682.3 meters of Yangtze River shoreline, along with related equipment and patents.
Following the acquisition of Hongqiang Heavy Industry’s assets, Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering established Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. Currently, Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s order backlog extends through 2028. Qidong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering primarily focuses on constructing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly bulk carriers, offshore engineering vessels, and specialized vessels. Upon full capacity utilization, the company is projected to deliver 12 to 14 vessels annually, achieving an annual output value of 3 to 4 billion yuan and contributing over 60 million yuan in tax revenue.