Recently, Anrun Group’s Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZRHI) formally signed a contract with a well-known Greek shipowner for the construction of 2+1+1+1 41,000-dwt IMO Type II chemical tankers. Independently developed and designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), the series marks renewed recognition of Zhongrun Heavy Industry by an overseas owner in the high-end liquid-cargo vessel market and further deepens China–Greece cooperation in shipbuilding and shipping.

The value of the newbuildings has not been disclosed. For reference, Clarksons data show that the current newbuilding price of a 37,000/41,000-dwt IMO Type II product/chemical tanker is approximately USD 48 million (about RMB 323 million), around 5% higher than the USD 45.75 million recorded a year ago.

The 41,000-dwt IMO Type II chemical tankers covered by the contract are mainstream MR product/chemical carriers. They will strictly comply with the International Bulk Chemical (IBC) Code, and their cargo tanks will be suitable for epoxy coating systems, enabling the safe carriage of Category II and III hazardous chemicals as well as refined petroleum products. The vessels can transport multiple types of liquid cargo simultaneously and offer excellent port and route adaptability for major global chemical trades, including Europe–Asia and transatlantic routes. SDARI has incorporated the owner’s operational requirements into optimized hull lines, cargo systems and energy-efficiency performance. The vessels will comply with IMO Tier III emission standards and EEDI requirements while balancing fuel economy, cargo flexibility and environmental performance, in line with the global shipping industry’s low-carbon development trend.

Under the contract, construction, launching and delivery of the two firm vessels will proceed according to schedule. The three optional vessels may be declared by the owner at a later date. If all options are exercised, the project will comprise five vessels, providing strong support for Zhongrun Heavy Industry’s future capacity utilization and orderbook.

The order sets a new record for the size of product/chemical tankers built by Zhongrun Heavy Industry. According to Clarksons, the shipyard’s previous largest chemical tanker order was for a 33,500-dwt vessel placed by an undisclosed Greek owner in July this year, with delivery scheduled for January 2028. During project execution, the designer and shipyard will work closely across the entire chain—from design conversion and production design to construction inspection—strictly controlling technical standards at every stage to deliver a new generation of reliable and operationally efficient chemical tankers.

Anrun Group’s Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. is located in Wuhu, Anhui Province. The yard has annual shipbuilding capacity of 800,000 tonnes, occupies 860 mu, has 760 meters of Yangtze River shoreline and more than 570,000 square meters of workshops. It employs nearly 1,000 construction personnel and has a team of more than 60 senior managers and engineers. In recent years, the company has continued to upgrade its construction capabilities, adding two 600-tonne gantry cranes and four 300-tonne gantry cranes, while equipping the block assembly area with a 300-tonne gantry crane. Its capabilities in lifting large structures and constructing hull blocks have improved comprehensively, significantly increasing production scale and efficiency.

Looking ahead, Zhongrun Heavy Industry will focus on two core vessel types—IMO Type II chemical tankers and gas carriers—while continuing to target green, high-value-added vessels. It will deepen collaborative innovation with leading domestic ship design institutes, actively expand cooperation with shipowners worldwide and contribute to the high-quality development of China’s shipbuilding industry.

Excluding the latest order, Clarksons data show that Zhongrun Heavy Industry currently has seven vessels totaling 218,500 dwt on order, comprising four chemical tankers, two bulk carriers and one container ship, with deliveries scheduled through 2028.

This article is reproduced from the WeChat official account International Ship Network (ID: EWORLDSHIP). Original title: “Up to Five Vessels! Anhui Shipyard Wins Its First MR Product/Chemical Tanker Order from a Greek Shipowner.” Reproduction authorization has been obtained by email. Copyright belongs to the original author.