On September 9, Jingjiang Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group, officially began construction of a 40,400 DWT bulk carrier, marking Jingjiang Heavy Industry’s official entry into the shipbuilding sector and signifying an expansion of its business scope from “bridge building” to “shipbuilding.” This is also the first commercial shipbuilding project undertaken by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group.
This vessel is a BC-A class bulk carrier designed for unlimited navigation zones, with a maximum deadweight of 40,400 tons. It has an overall length of 179.9 meters, a beam of 30 meters, a depth of 15.20 meters, and a structural draft of 10.95 meters. With a total cargo hold volume of 50,500 cubic meters, it is suitable for transporting various types of dry bulk cargo.
The vessel is equipped with an unmanned engine room system and has obtained certification for unlimited navigation zones, enabling it to operate in all major seas worldwide. Jingjiang Heavy Industry was responsible for manufacturing the hulls for core modules, including the cargo hold area, of this vessel.
To ensure the smooth progress of ship block manufacturing, Jingjiang Heavy Industry has designated a dedicated site covering 128,700 square meters. The company has now completed the construction of three standardized outdoor ship block assembly lines, capable of undertaking the manufacturing of ship blocks for bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, liquefied gas carriers, and other vessel types. The 40,400 DWT bulk carrier hull manufacturing project that has just broken ground is just one of Jingjiang Heavy Industry’s current orders. The company is actively expanding its shipbuilding business and currently holds multiple hull block orders, with a total annual production capacity of approximately 100,000 tons.
Currently, Jingjiang Heavy Industry is entering the shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment manufacturing sector by adopting a development strategy of “manufacturing sections first, then assembling the entire vessel.” In the future, Jingjiang Heavy Industry will focus on the market for small and medium-sized high-value-added vessels and actively integrate into the Tongtai-Yangzhou National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for Offshore Engineering Equipment and High-Tech Vessels.
According to reports, Jingjiang, Jiangsu—where Jingjiang Heavy Industries is located—is home to 208 shipbuilding and related supporting enterprises, making it the nation’s largest and most comprehensively equipped private shipbuilding base. In 2025, Jingjiang accounted for nearly 10 percent of global shipbuilding completions and 10.9 percent of global order backlog. This means that for every 10 new vessels delivered by shipyards worldwide, one is “made in Jingjiang.”