Hengli Heavy Industry Names the First LR2-Type Oil Tanker Built for Huaguang Shipping

On March 30, Hengli Heavy Industry held a grand naming ceremony for the 114,000-dwt LR2 product/crude oil tanker “Frontier Venture.” This vessel also marks the first ship delivered by Hengli Heavy Industry to Huaguang Shipping, underscoring the company’s steady and robust progress in adopting streamlined, batch production and delivery of various high-end vessel types.

Zhao Shiqing, Chairman of Huaguang Shipping, and Chen Jianhua, Chairman and President of Hengli Group, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Family members of the shipowner, representatives from the classification society, and representatives of partner organizations also took part in the event. Ms. Kirsten Newbigging, as the ship’s godmother, named the new vessel and cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Chen Jianhua, Chairman and President of Hengli Group, stated: “Since its establishment, Hengli Heavy Industry has steadily overcome challenges and pursued concrete, results-oriented work, achieving a remarkable transformation from catching up to surpassing in a short period of time. What was once an industrial wasteland has now been transformed into the world’s largest single-site shipbuilding base with the most comprehensive supporting facilities. Two years ago, Hengli Heavy Industry and Huaguang Shipping embarked on their first collaboration. Since the start of construction, Hengli has remained committed to building high-quality, state-of-the-art vessels with the highest standards of quality and efficiency, meticulously refining every step of the process and leaving no detail overlooked, thereby successfully completing all construction tasks. Hengli sincerely looks forward to using the delivery of these vessels as an opportunity to deepen pragmatic cooperation, expand areas of collaboration, and jointly promote the green and low-carbon development of the global shipping industry, thus making greater contributions to building China into a leading shipbuilding nation and a maritime power.”

Zhao Shiqing, Chairman of Huaguang Shipping, stated: “Today’s naming ceremony holds special significance for both Hengli Heavy Industry and Huaguang. This is the first oil tanker that Huaguang has taken delivery of since 2020, and it also sets the highest industry standard for smart ships. Huaguang and Hengli share a complete alignment in their commitment to smart technology, high-end solutions, and pioneering new frontiers. Moreover, even without any specific requests from Huaguang, the ship’s living quarters are superior to those on all vessels we have built over the past seven decades, reflecting Hengli Heavy Industry’s people-oriented approach and its strong emphasis on employee well-being. At present, Huaguang and Hengli are already collaborating across a range of other business areas, and in the future there is considerable scope for strategic cooperation between the two companies. We look forward to expanding our collaboration into even more new fields.”

The vessel measures 248.8 meters in length, 44 meters in molded breadth, and 21.5 meters in molded depth, with all performance parameters meeting internationally advanced standards and earning unanimous praise from the shipowner. In particular, the application of a specialized coating system for the cargo oil tanks has significantly enhanced the versatility and adaptability of cargo transportation, providing the shipowner with more flexible operational options.

Since the project’s commencement, Hengli Heavy Industry has adhered to the principle of “one vessel, one project; one vessel, one masterpiece,” steadfastly pursuing its objectives and making a full-scale sprint to achieve them. The teams from both sides have worked in close coordination and with high efficiency, successfully completing all set targets and delivering the vessel to a high-quality standard.

This year is designated as a year of enhancement for Hengli Heavy Industry. Since the beginning of the year, the company has continuously achieved new breakthroughs in management, efficiency, quality, and other areas, with production and construction sites bustling with vigorous, results-oriented efforts and more than 80,000 workers on the ground. Currently, Hengli Heavy Industry’s order backlog extends through 2030.

Looking ahead, Hengli Heavy Industry will remain steadfast in its focus on R&D and shipbuilding capabilities for high-tech, highly complex, and high-value-added vessel types, continuously enhancing the Hengli Heavy Industry brand and forging ahead with determination toward the goal of becoming world-class.