Recently, Chen Jianhua, Chairman of Hengli Group, disclosed that in the first half of this year, Hengli Heavy Industries employed a total of 110,000 personnel, bringing together top-tier design talent from over 200 universities worldwide, alongside skilled industrial workers including welders, riveters, painters, and grinders. The average daily wage for a certified welder currently stands at RMB 550.
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the company plans to recruit an additional 100,000 industrial workers and offer more than 5,000 graduate positions for recent associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree holders, primarily in engine manufacturing, shipbuilding, offshore engineering, and equipment manufacturing.
In July 2022, Hengli Heavy Industries acquired the assets of STX Dalian Shipbuilding for RMB 2.11 billion and officially resumed shipbuilding operations in the fourth quarter of that year. By early 2023, its industrial park had commenced full-scale production, and in May 2025, the company became China’s first publicly listed private shipbuilder.
As of the end of July 2026, Hengli Heavy Industries had secured orders for nearly 550 vessels over a four-year period, cementing its position as one of the world’s largest private shipbuilders. Since the beginning of 2026 alone, the company has won contracts for 253 new vessels—covering the full spectrum of ship types including container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, and gas carriers—with delivery schedules extending through 2030.
In tandem with its growing orderbook, Hengli Heavy Industries is actively advancing its capacity expansion plans. Approximately RMB 7 billion in raised funds, designated for three major expansion projects, has been secured and is being gradually injected into its subsidiaries through a phased capital increase process. Upon completion, the company will operate a total of 22 shipbuilding berths, comprising capacity for the simultaneous construction of 10 vessels under 200,000 DWT and 12 vessels of 200,000 DWT or above.
According to official production capacity data, the shipyard currently boasts an annual steel processing capacity of 3 million tons and an annual output of 300 marine engines. Its four main dry docks are capable of the batch construction of VLCCs and 10,000-TEU container ships. Leveraging economies of scale and robust supporting infrastructure, the company has achieved rhythmic, serialized construction and delivery.
In 2026, Hengli Heavy Industries plans to deliver 82 vessels. Industry experts project that the company will deliver approximately 120 vessels in 2027 and at least 160 in 2028.