- Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding delivered 15 vessels totaling 1.40 million DWT and secured 8 new ship orders in H1 2025.
- The shipyard launched the world’s first Aframax oil tanker with wind sail propulsion and undocked major vessels for Grimaldi Group and Performance Shipping.
- Significant progress on China’s second domestic cruise ship sets new efficiency benchmarks, with delivery expected by end-2026.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd has marked an impressive first half of 2025, delivering 15 vessels and securing orders for 8 new ships, reinforcing its trajectory toward meeting annual production goals. The delivered ships represent a combined deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 1.40 million, while the newly ordered vessels add another 1.07 million DWT to the yard’s portfolio.
One of the standout achievements was the naming of the world’s first Aframax oil tanker featuring wind sail propulsion, held on June 11. This innovative vessel was built for Greek company Performance Shipping and is capable of transporting up to 114,000 tons of oil cargo, combining traditional tanker functionality with sustainable propulsion design, according to China Daily.
Milestones for Grimaldi Group and China’s Cruise Ship Ambitions
On June 25, the shipyard also celebrated the undocking of two major projects: a 9,000-space pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) for Italy’s Grimaldi Group, and the aforementioned Aframax tanker for Performance Shipping. These milestones underscore the yard’s capacity to manage diverse, complex vessel types simultaneously.
Additionally, the shipyard continues to make headway on China’s second domestically produced cruise ship. Construction of the hull structure was completed on January 15—two months ahead of schedule—showing a substantial improvement in project efficiency compared to the first cruise ship. On April 28, the vessel completed its floating-out procedure, signaling a critical step in its timeline, with final delivery anticipated by the end of 2026.
According to yard representatives, this acceleration in build time significantly cuts man-hours across the entire project, setting a new benchmark for domestic cruise ship construction efficiency.
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Source: China Daily
