Recently, Zhejiang Haoyou Shipbuilding and Changsheng (Shanghai) Shipping held a signing and keel-laying ceremony for a 5,200 m³ fully pressurized liquefied gas carrier, marking the official launch of this high-end specialty liquid cargo vessel project.
Developed entirely under the leadership of the Changjiang Ship Design Institute, this LPG carrier was built in strict compliance with international maritime regulations and domestic shipbuilding standards. Classified by the China Classification Society (CCS), it offers multiple core advantages, including strong compliance, high safety, low energy consumption, and broad adaptability.
The vessel features an optimized hull form design that effectively reduces navigational drag and improves fuel efficiency. This aligns with the current trend toward green and low-carbon development in the shipping industry, meets stringent ship energy efficiency design index requirements, and offers outstanding energy-saving and environmental benefits. At the same time, the vessel is equipped with an intelligent navigation and situational awareness system that optimizes the bridge’s field of view and the crew’s working environment, enhances navigation control precision and safety capabilities, and offers operational and maintenance convenience as well as operational efficiency that far exceed those of traditional vessels of the same class.
As a mainstream vessel type precisely tailored to current domestic and international market demands for the waterborne transport of liquefied gas, this vessel belongs to the category of small-to-medium-sized, high-end specialized liquid cargo ships and currently serves as the mainstay for coastal energy transportation and gas supply to small- and medium-sized terminals in China.
Unlike traditional transport vessels, fully pressurized LPG carriers do not require cryogenic insulation or reliquefaction systems. Relying on ambient-temperature pressurization technology, they can achieve stable storage and transportation of liquefied gas. With a simple structure, low operating and maintenance costs, and strong navigational adaptability, they can safely transport various types of liquefied petroleum gas—including propane, butane, propane-butane mixtures, and other liquefied petroleum gases, as well as certain chemical gases. They are widely suited for domestic coastal routes, feeder routes in the Yangtze River basin, and short-sea international transport scenarios, offering outstanding market practicality and operational cost-effectiveness.
According to publicly available information, Haoyou Shipbuilding has been deeply involved in the shipbuilding and repair industry for many years, specializing in the construction and repair of high-end vessels such as specialized liquid cargo carriers and bulk carriers. The company has now established a stable, comprehensive production capacity of 300,000 deadweight tons per year and the ability to repair over 100 vessels annually, with production efficiency and delivery capabilities ranking among the top in similar shipyards in Eastern Zhejiang.
Haoyou Shipbuilding covers a total area of 200,000 square meters, with 160,000 square meters of dedicated marine use area and a 780-meter-long specialized shipbuilding waterfront, providing ample space for shipblock construction, overall assembly, launching, and outfitting. It is also equipped with one 100,000-metric-ton-class dry dock, two standardized outfitting piers, and four specialized shipbuilding slipways.
The facility is outfitted with a full suite of modern, intelligent ship repair and construction production and testing equipment. With a comprehensive production system, advanced process equipment, and stringent testing standards, the company is capable of undertaking the construction, repair, and retrofitting of various types of small and medium-sized specialty liquid cargo ships, bulk carriers and engineering vessels.