On March 18, Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (ZPMC) successfully held a keel-laying ceremony for two 38,000 DWT multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels it is building for Chipolbrok (Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company).
This heavy-lift vessel represents a significant achievement in ZPMC’s dedicated efforts within the field of high-end specialized shipbuilding. The vessel features an overall length of 182 meters, a beam of 30 meters, and a depth of 17 meters; it has a design draft of 9.8 meters, a service speed of 14.5 knots, and is classed by DNV.
The vessel is equipped with three 350-ton cranes—independently developed by the ZPMC Group—which offer a tandem lifting capacity of up to 700 tons, enabling the efficient execution of heavy-lift operations. It features a full-length open deck and two extra-long cargo holds—with a maximum hold length of 76.8 meters—and is fitted with adjustable tween decks. This configuration ensures exceptional cargo versatility and loading flexibility, fully meeting global transportation requirements for heavy-lift cargo and complete plant equipment.
This vessel type deeply integrates green and low-carbon design concepts; its propulsion system is fitted with energy-saving devices—such as propeller ducts and rudder bulbs—to effectively reduce navigational resistance. Furthermore, it is equipped with a 1,000 kW battery-hybrid power system which, combined with a high-voltage shore power system, significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions, thereby aligning with global trends in green shipping development.
It is understood that, following the official commencement of construction for vessels No. 1 and No. 2 in this series, work on both vessels is currently progressing steadily and on schedule. The successful keel-laying of these two vessels further consolidates ZPMC’s market position in the field of high-end specialized shipbuilding, while also providing strong support for Chipolbrok in optimizing its fleet structure and enhancing its global heavy-lift transport capabilities.