Hengli Heavy Industry Wins 7 New Vessel Orders, Delivers First Self-Built LPG Dual-Fuel Engine

Date: 31 October 2025

Source: Maritime Cargo Chronicles

Industry Reference: Xinde Marine News – Skye Pol

Hengli Heavy Industry (Hengli HI) continues to accelerate its rise in China’s high-end shipbuilding sector, announcing a fresh wave of new contracts alongside a landmark technological delivery. Following its October 27 signing ceremony with Greek shipowner EFNAV for six 82,000-DWT bulk carriers, the yard confirmed on October 30 that it has secured seven additional vessel orders, underlining strong global confidence in its construction capability and delivery pipeline.

The newly signed contracts include two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), three 4,600-TEU containerships, and two 2,700-TEU containerships, all concluded within the same period. The two VLCCs are valued at an estimated USD 200–300 million in total, with scheduled deliveries spanning late 2027 through mid-2028, further strengthening Hengli’s footprint in the large crude tanker segment.

The three 4,600-TEU containerships, designed by CSSC 708 Research Institute and classed by Bureau Veritas | Marine & Offshore, carry a combined contract value of approximately RMB 1.5–1.8 billion. Delivery is planned for the first half of 2028, positioning these vessels as efficient feeder and regional-link ships supporting domestic–international “dual circulation” logistics networks. On the same day, two 2,700-TEU containerships were also added to the orderbook, highlighting strong demand for flexible, fuel-efficient boxship designs.

Hengli Heavy Industry emphasized that its VLCC design integrates high cargo capacity, extended endurance, and optimized operational efficiency, reflecting the yard’s growing in-house expertise in hydrodynamics, structural optimization, and green propulsion integration. Meanwhile, the 4,600-TEU class is engineered for low unit fuel consumption and strong commercial economics, catering to shipowners navigating tighter margins and evolving environmental regulations.

Adding strategic depth to these commercial wins, Hengli marked a major technological breakthrough on October 28 with the successful delivery of its first self-produced LPG dual-fuel main engine — the 6G60ME-C10.5-LGIP-HPSCR. Standing 12 meters tall, weighing 450 tons, and delivering 23,000 horsepower, the engine is capable of operating on LPG or conventional diesel while fully complying with IMO Tier III emission standards, representing a critical step in China’s green marine propulsion independence.

With its orderbook now stretching through 2029, Hengli’s engine division is preparing for full-scale production capacity of up to 180 engines per year, covering the G95 series and below. The portfolio spans LNG, LPG, methanol, and ammonia dual-fuel technologies, positioning Hengli as one of China’s most comprehensive and vertically integrated manufacturers of next-generation marine engines.

Maritime Cargo Chronicles notes that Hengli’s rapid progress reflects a broader structural shift in global shipbuilding, where green propulsion, in-house innovation, and long-term yard reliability are becoming decisive factors for shipowners. The developments also resonate across the wider maritime value chain, including operators, charterers, and trading groups such as MAKM INTERNATIONAL INC, which closely monitor fleet renewal trends tied to energy transition and long-term cargo flows.

Hengli Heavy Industry’s latest achievements mark another milestone for China’s shipbuilding industry, reinforcing the country’s ambition to lead in green power, advanced manufacturing, and global maritime partnerships in the decade ahead.

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Maritime Cargo Chronicles