#China #Shanghai #ZPMC #Chipolbrok #Heavy-Lift Vessels

ZPMC Unveils Its First Multipurpose Heavy-Lift Vessels

On August 28, 2026, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) hosted an important naming ceremony for its inaugural two multipurpose heavy-lift vessels, each boasting a significant deadweight tonnage of 38,000 DWT. These vessels, partnered with Chipolbrok, underscore a critical expansion of ZPMC into the multipurpose heavy-lift shipping sector.

Each vessel measures an impressive 182 meters in length, with a beam of 30 meters and 17 meters in depth. They have a designed draft of 9.8 meters and can achieve service speeds of up to 14.5 knots. Notably, these vessels have been classed by DNV, a prestigious maritime classification society, attesting to their operational reliability and standard.

Innovative Design Features

The vessels feature a full-length open deck complemented by two extended cargo holds, allowing for an impressive maximum hold length of 76.8 meters. This design is enhanced by adjustable tweendecks that provide significant flexibility in cargo handling. The versatility is further supported by three robust 350-ton cranes developed in-house by ZPMC. Two of these cranes can work in tandem, offering a combined lifting capacity capable of handling loads up to 700 tons. This capability is essential for efficiently transporting heavy machinery and oversized components.

These vessels are equipped for transporting a variety of cargo types including oversized equipment, heavy engineering materials, and breakbulk cargo. Combining their high cargo-carrying capacity with heavy-lift capabilities and an energy-efficient design, these vessels are set to revolutionize maritime operations in heavy-lift logistics.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact

In alignment with the global shift towards sustainable shipping practices, ZPMC has implemented an energy-efficient design in this four-vessel series. This includes a sophisticated shaft generator paired with a battery system, which ensures a continuous power supply while allowing for flexible peak-load management and energy recovery. Such advancements significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, thereby improving the vessels' Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings—an essential aspect as the maritime industry collectively moves toward lower-carbon operations.

Post-delivery, these multipurpose heavy-lift vessels will primarily operate on major international shipping routes, focusing on the transport of oversized cargo like wind power equipment, large construction machinery, and specialized components crucial for various industrial applications.

Conclusion

The introduction of these vessels signifies not just an operational milestone for ZPMC but also a pivotal contribution to enhancing global shipping capacity in the heavy-lift sector. With their advanced design and capacity, ZPMC stands ready to meet the growing demands of the logistics market, thus solidifying its strategic positioning in an increasingly competitive industry.