Mawei Shipbuilding Completes Trial Voyage of 18,500-Ton Oil and Chemical Tanker with Triumphant Return

On December 6, the 18,500 DWT oil and chemical tanker (MW516-4), built by Mawei Shipbuilding under Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, successfully completed its sea trial and returned safely.

This vessel has a total length of 149.8 meters, a molded breadth of 22.8 meters, and a molded depth of 12.7 meters. It is designed with the flexibility to be retrofitted for dual-fuel operation using methanol. The primary cargoes it can carry include crude oil, petroleum products with a density below 1.54 tons per cubic meter, as well as chemicals of Class II and Class III, liquid chemicals, and IMO Class II and Class III petroleum products listed in MARPOL Annex I and the IBC Code. The vessel’s main engine and generator sets are equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions, meeting the IMO Tier III requirements and the ice-class reinforcement requirements of ICE CLASS 1C.

The vessel features a multi-load-line design that meets the requirements of various flag states and ports. Its liquid cargo system is equipped with six independent transmission units driven by variable-frequency hydraulic systems, simultaneously powering six liquid cargo pumps and one ballast pump. This configuration enables the simultaneous unloading of six separate cargo streams. Each liquid cargo pump has a discharge rate of 300 cubic meters per hour, with a maximum combined discharge rate of 1,800 cubic meters per hour. The propulsion system employs a low-speed two-stroke diesel engine paired with a controllable-pitch propeller, a front-mounted energy-saving guide vane assembly, and a flap-type rudder fitted with a rudder bulb. Additionally, the vessel is equipped with a variable-frequency shaft-driven generator set, allowing it to operate without the generator set during navigation. This not only reduces the ship’s energy consumption but also enhances its maneuverability.

This trial voyage represents a comprehensive inspection of the vessel’s construction quality. During the trial voyage, the project team worked closely with the shipowner and the classification society, systematically and according to schedule completing a series of critical tests covering the main engine, steering gear, side thrusters, and the vessel’s overall performance. The vessel’s navigation performance, as well as the stability and reliability of its systems and equipment, all meet the design specifications and contractual requirements.

Previously, several sister vessels in this series have already successfully reached key milestones such as launching and delivery. Following this successful trial voyage, the project team will immediately move on to final preparation work for delivery, making every effort to ensure that this technologically advanced oil and chemical tanker is delivered to the owner on time and to the highest quality standards—thus celebrating with outstanding achievements the 159th anniversary of the founding of Fujian Shipbuilding.