According to Wuhu Shipyard, on March 13, Wuhu Shipyard held a delivery ceremony in Nantong for the first vessel in a series of 18,500 DWT chemical tankers built for EGPN Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd (EGPN)—the “WESTERN ACACIA.”
Zhang Yun, Chairman of EGPN; Jiang Yong, General Manager of Jiangsu Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.; Sun Jianping, General Manager of the Maritime Development Department of Yangzijiang Financial Holding Ltd.; Xi Jueliang, a broker; Chen Biao, Vice President of BV China; Shao Rongrong, General Manager of Synergy Marine China; and Zhang Zhao, Chairman of Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd., and other leaders and guests gathered together to witness this important moment.
The 18,500 DWT chemical tanker “WESTERN ACACIA” is designed with sustainability and smart technology in mind. It features a methanol-fuel-ready design, allowing the main engine to be converted to a methanol dual-fuel configuration at any time. Both the main and auxiliary engines are equipped with SCR systems to meet Tier III emission standards.
Equipped with 14 independent submersible cargo pumps and 6 sets of independent piping, the vessel can simultaneously load and unload six different grades of cargo, enabling flexible adaptation for a wide range of products including crude oil, chemicals, and vegetable oils. The engine room meets the AUT-UMS unmanned engine room classification symbol and features a security shelter compliant with ISPS Code regulations.
Zhang Zhao noted that since establishing a partnership with EGPN in 2023, the two companies have agreed to collaborate on the construction of eight chemical tankers. This represents not only a strong endorsement of the “Wuhu Shipbuilding” brand but also the highest recognition of the company’s technical capabilities and shipbuilding expertise.
The global shipbuilding industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation. As a century-old shipbuilder, Wuhu Shipyard is actively responding to these changes, embarking on a new chapter, and steadily advancing toward the high-end market. In recent years, Wuhu Shipyard has focused on building high-end oil and chemical tankers, successfully establishing itself among the world’s leading builders of such vessels and securing a leading position in China’s specialized liquid cargo ship sector.