On July 28, Hengli Shipbuilding (Dalian) Co., Ltd. officially signed a new shipbuilding contract with Zhenghe Mainline, a wholly state-owned enterprise under the Jiangsu Provincial Port Group.
Under the agreement, Zhenghe Mainline plans a total investment exceeding RMB 3 billion to purchase six 4,600-TEU class container ships from Hengli Shipbuilding. Upon delivery, the new vessels will be deployed on the route originating from Taicang Port to the Baltic Sea; the company will also actively explore the opening of new routes to continuously expand its international network.
Hengli Heavy Industries stated that this partnership represents a strategic move for Jiangsu Provincial Port Group and Hengli Group—two industry leaders—to leverage their respective strengths for mutual benefit. It also marks a significant initiative to deepen their presence at Taicang Port and boost the city’s port economy, thereby accelerating the development of green and intelligent shipping services, enhancing the quality and efficiency of the regional international logistics system, and better supporting national strategies to build a maritime power and a transportation powerhouse.
Recently, several new vessels from Hengli Heavy Industries have been publicly announced. For instance, an order for three 181,000 DWT Capesize bulk carriers placed by the Greek shipowner Cape Shipping—signed several months ago—has only recently been made public.
Additionally, three Greek shipowners have placed orders with Hengli Heavy Industries for a total of eight 93,000-cubic-meter class VLACs; Dynacom, Capital, and Evalend Shipping hold orders for two, two, and four vessels, respectively, with delivery scheduled between 2028 and 2029.
As of the end of June 2026, Hengli Heavy Industries had secured orders for 207 new vessels in the first half of the year, bringing its cumulative orderbook to over 500 ships; the portfolio spans the full spectrum of vessel types—including container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, and gas carriers—with delivery schedules extending to 2030. The company delivered 40 vessels ahead of schedule during the first half of the year and plans to deliver a total of 82 vessels for the full year.
Regarding shipbuilding progress, Hengli Heavy Industries recently floated out three VLCCs and one VLOC simultaneously; the in-dock construction period took just 88 days, setting a new global record for the shortest dock time for the simultaneous construction of ultra-large vessels.