Shanghai's three key shipbuilders create waves globally

By delivering 38 vessels and receiving 65 units of shipbuilding orders, Shanghai's three major shipbuilders have reported stellar results in the first half, according to their parent company China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), the world's largest shipbuilding company.

With more than 90 percent of its vessels being medium- to high-end, the ships delivered and new orders of the company are greater in capacity, higher in quality, and more optimized in industrial structure and product layout.

Among the 38 ships delivered, two vessels are eye-catching. One is the world's largest very large gas carrier capable of carrying 93,000 cubic meters liquefied gas constructed by Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co Ltd, and the other is the world's first fifth-generation 174,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd.

More than 60 percent of the new orders received by the company are specialized gas ships, hitting a new record by amount. Completion of 18 LNG carriers with a carrying capacity of 271,000 cubic meters of LNG has significantly enhanced China's shipbuilding industry as an influential player globally in specialized gas carriers.

Currently, as many as 18 LNG vessels are under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua, and the shipyard is set to create a new record in China's LNG ships construction by completing eight this year. Such target is also part of the shipbuilder's strategy of doubling capacity in LNG carrier manufacturing.

It is worth mentioning that a keel laying ceremony of China's second domestically-produced large cruise ship was held at its builder China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd earlier in April, marking the onset of the vessel's hull structure assembly and another achievement of China's shipbuilding prowess.

In comparison with the first one, the second homegrown cruise ship was built in a more efficient way in both design and construction, with higher quality and standards, according to Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.

The three major shipbuilders are having their production schedule fully packed by having nearly 80 units of civil ships under construction of simultaneously at the moment.