en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 27, the 48,000 m³ liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia (NH₃) carrier "Olympios Gas," built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company for Greek company Benelux, was officially signed and delivered.
This vessel is currently the largest medium-sized gas carrier built in South China, with an overall length of 190 meters, a beam of 32.2 meters, and a depth of 19 meters. It is equipped with three independent full-cooled Type A liquid cargo tanks, constructed from low-temperature carbon-manganese steel, with a total cargo capacity of 48,000 m³. The vessel is designed to meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III emission standards, features next-generation environmentally friendly equipment, and is equipped with a 7.5-year extended dry-docking cycle and an ice-class notation. In addition to carrying LPG, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and other petrochemical products, it is also capable of transporting liquid ammonia and switching between multiple cargo types, offering strong adaptability and outstanding operational economy. It is widely recognized as a mainstream green vessel type in the global shipping market.
The successful delivery of this vessel marks a milestone achievement for Huangpu Wenchong in transitioning from a "small vessel expert" to a "leader in medium-sized vessels" in the gas carrier sector, holding significant importance for the company's strategic transformation and high-quality development. Currently, Huangpu Wenchong has established a product portfolio covering the full spectrum of small and medium-sized gas carriers, ranking third globally in market share for small and medium-sized gas carriers, with 14 medium-sized gas carriers on order, placing it among the top worldwide.
Lean Construction + Technological Breakthroughs
During the construction of the first 48,000 m³ LPG carrier, the project team consistently focused on "ensuring quality, improving efficiency, and meeting milestones," fully implementing lean construction and takt-time production. By working backward from deadlines and using visual management, they continuously optimized process interfaces and shortened construction cycles, ultimately achieving delivery 65 days ahead of the contract schedule.
The project team adhered to high-level technological self-reliance, overcoming several key core technologies to build a systematic competitive advantage. They achieved large-scale application of domestically produced low-temperature carbon-manganese steel welding materials, breaking foreign technological monopolies and providing the industry with a "Huangpu Wenchong solution" for domestic substitution. They innovatively adopted a "gantry crane + synchronized hydraulic jack" positioning and lifting process, enabling "lift-and-position" installation of Type A tanks, improving overall lifting and positioning efficiency by 50%. Through "virtual matching + process control," they achieved full-process precision management, with all tank support system accuracy requirements met on the first attempt, solidifying the foundation for high-end shipbuilding capabilities with robust technology.
Through the practical experience gained from the first vessel, Huangpu Wenchong has fully mastered core technologies such as independent design and construction of Type A tanks, low-temperature material welding, and liquid cargo system integration. It has established a specialized design and construction team, transitioning from "following" to "running alongside" industry leaders, accumulating sufficient technological momentum for future orders of more advanced gas carriers and ammonia-fueled vessels.
Full Development of Batch Construction Capabilities
To support the large-scale development of gas carriers, Huangpu Wenchong has coordinated its industrial layout, comprehensively enhancing construction capabilities. It has specially upgraded and established a dedicated gas carrier production line, enabling centralized and specialized manufacturing. Additionally, the pressure vessel production base under its subsidiary, Wenchong Heavy Industry, has officially commenced operations, achieving self-controlled core supporting components for liquid cargo tanks. This effectively shortens the supply chain cycle and lays a solid industrial foundation for batch construction of gas carriers.
With the completion of the dedicated production line, the launch of the base, mature processes, and a growing talent pool, Huangpu Wenchong now possesses the capability for large-scale, takt-time construction of medium-sized gas carriers. The successful delivery of this first vessel also lays a strong foundation for the efficient construction of the subsequent two sister ships in the same series. Currently, the company is steadily advancing multiple gas carrier types, including 25,000 m³, 41,000 m³, 60,000 m³, and 20,000 m³ liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels, forming an industrial pattern of "parallel production lines and batch deliveries."
