Up to five vessels! Anhui Shipyard has secured its first order from a Greek shipowner for MR‑type oil‑chemical tankers.

Recently, Anrun Group’s Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZRHI) officially signed a construction contract with a renowned Greek shipowner for the building of two plus one plus one plus one 41,000‑dwt IMO II‑class chemical tankers. Designed and developed independently by the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI) and classed by RINA, this series marks another milestone in Zhongrun Heavy Industry’s gaining recognition from overseas shipowners in the high‑end liquid cargo vessel market, further strengthening China–Greece cooperation in the shipbuilding and shipping sectors.

The construction cost of this new vessel series has not been disclosed. For reference, Clarkson’s data indicate that the current price for a newly built 37,000–41,000 dwt IMO II‑class product oil/chemical tanker stands at approximately USD 48 million (about RMB 323 million), up roughly 5% from USD 45.75 million at the same time last year.

The 41,000‑dwt IMO Type II chemical tanker recently contracted is a mainstream MR‑type oil‑chemical dual‑purpose vessel. It strictly complies with the IBC Code for the Safe Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, features epoxy‑lined cargo tanks, and can safely carry Class II and Class III hazardous chemicals as well as refined petroleum products. The ship meets the demand for simultaneous transport of multiple liquid cargo types, boasts excellent port compatibility and route adaptability, and is capable of serving key global chemical trade routes, including those between Europe and Asia and transatlantic routes. Drawing on the shipowner’s operational requirements, the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute has optimized the hull form, cargo handling system, and energy‑efficiency metrics. The vessel satisfies IMO Tier III emission standards and EEDI efficiency requirements, balancing fuel economy, cargo flexibility, and environmental performance—aligning with the current global trend toward low‑carbon shipping.

Under the terms of the contract, the two confirmed vessels will proceed according to schedule with commissioning, launching, and delivery milestones; the three optional vessels grant the shipowner the right to exercise their option at a later date. If all options are exercised, the project’s total scale will expand to five vessels, providing robust support for Zhongrun Heavy Industry’s future capacity utilization and order backlog.

This order has set a new record for Zhongrun Heavy Industry in the construction of oil‑chemical tankers. According to Clarkson data, the largest chemical tanker previously commissioned by Zhongrun was a 33,500‑dwt vessel ordered in July this year by an anonymous Greek owner, with delivery scheduled for January 2028. Throughout the project’s execution, the design team and the shipyard will work closely together, seamlessly integrating design handover, production engineering, and construction‑inspection processes, rigorously enforcing technical standards at every stage, and striving to deliver to the owner a next‑generation chemical tanker that is both highly reliable in performance and operationally efficient.

According to reports, Anrun Group’s Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. is located in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. The company boasts an annual shipbuilding capacity of 800,000 tons, occupies a site of 860 mu, and features a 760-meter-long Yangtze River shoreline. Its total factory floor space exceeds 570,000 square meters, and it employs nearly 1,000 construction workers, supported by a team of more than 60 senior managers and engineers. In recent years, the company has continuously upgraded its construction capabilities, adding two 600-ton gantry cranes and four 300-ton gantry cranes, while equipping its section‑assembly yard with a 300-ton gantry crane. As a result, its capacity for lifting large components and constructing hull sections has been significantly enhanced, leading to a substantial increase in both production scale and construction efficiency.

Looking ahead, Zhongrun Heavy Industry will focus on developing two core vessel types—IMO Tier II chemical tankers and gas carriers—while maintaining a strong commitment to the green, high-value‑added shipbuilding sector. The company will deepen collaborative innovation with China’s leading naval architecture and design institutes, actively expand business partnerships with global shipowners, and contribute to the high‑quality development of China’s shipbuilding industry.

Excluding the latest order, Clarkson’s data shows that, as of now, Zhongrun Heavy Industry holds a total of seven vessels amounting to 218,500 deadweight tons, including four chemical tankers, two bulk carriers, and one container ship, with delivery schedules extending through 2028.