10 Vessels! Shandong Port Signs Deal for Its First New-Energy Bulk Cargo Ship Project

On November 20, Shenzhen Weiqiao New Energy Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony for its project to build a 10,000-ton-class nearshore new-energy bulk carrier. Anhui Port & Shipping Group and Shandong Port Group have once again joined forces to jointly launch the construction plan for 10 new-energy bulk carriers by Shenzhen Weiqiao New Energy Shipbuilding Company.

As part of the Weiqiao Green Capacity Plan, this project adopts an operational model of "integrated order management with coordinated production from two bases." Specifically, the construction of four vessels will be undertaken by the Offshore Engineering Company of Shandong Land & Sea Equipment Group, which is affiliated with Shandong Port Group. The remaining six vessels will be built jointly by Shandong Land & Sea Equipment Group and Anhui Port & Shipping Land & Sea Equipment Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Shandong Land & Sea Equipment Group and Tongling Port & Shipping Group. These vessels are expected to be delivered in batches between 2026 and 2027, ready for operation on the Yantai-Binzhou shipping route.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in deepening port and shipping cooperation between Anhui and Shandong provinces, forging a cross-regional partnership through strategic foresight and pragmatic action—setting a powerful example for the two regions to jointly advance their "dual-carbon" strategy and strategically position themselves in the high-end equipment manufacturing industry.

This is the Shandong Port Group’s first new-energy bulk carrier project. The vessel under construction measures 109.8 meters in length, 26.8 meters in breadth, and 7.2 meters in depth, with a designed draft of 4.2 meters. It is primarily intended for transporting bulk cargoes such as alumina, iron ore, and coal. The ship embodies green, standardized, safe, and intelligent design principles, featuring an innovative integration of eight containerized power systems. It adopts a dual-engine propulsion mode—“lithium battery + diesel”—enabling nearshore operations with "zero emissions." In addition, the vessel is equipped with advanced technologies like the AUT-0 unmanned engine room, a lithium-battery container disposal system, and a ship-shore information management system, ensuring maximum safety throughout its operation. This cutting-edge, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient vessel represents a new-generation "river-sea intermodal transport powerhouse."

It is reported that the four offshore engineering vessels being constructed by Shandong Land-Sea Equipment Group's Offshore Engineering Company will be built at the Rizhao Lanshan High-end Offshore Equipment Manufacturing Base (Phase I), which has a total investment of approximately 1.15 billion yuan. The base is expected to achieve full production capacity by June 2026. Meanwhile, the six vessels contracted to Anhui Port & Shipping Land-Sea Equipment Co., Ltd. will be manufactured at the Congyang Shipyard (Phase I), with a total investment of 670 million yuan. The Congyang Shipyard project is jointly invested and developed by Shandong Provincial Port Group and Anhui Provincial Port & Shipping Group, and officially began operations in June of this year.

The signing of this order for 10 new-energy bulk carriers marks not only a successful collaboration between Shandong Port Group and Weiqiao Pioneering Group in the field of green shipbuilding, but also a tangible demonstration of all parties actively fulfilling their social responsibilities and boldly leading the industry’s green, low-carbon transformation. Taking this milestone as an opportunity, both sides will further deepen their strategic partnership, fully leveraging their respective strengths, fostering close coordination and seamless synergy. Through professional and efficient cooperation, they will ensure the smooth construction and timely delivery of these new-energy bulk carriers, jointly setting a new benchmark for "green shipping."