At 9:28 AM on April 1, the first 115,000-ton product oil and crude oil tanker CHB3001 of Zhoushan Changhong International was ignited and commenced construction, marking the official start of the construction of Changhong International's LR2 tanker.

Guests attending the groundbreaking ceremony included Mr. Bashar, representative of the shipowner company Singapore X-Press Feeders, Mr. Veza, manager of the EPS shipowner supervision team, Mr. Zhao Hongbo, representative of ABS Classification Society, Mr. Wang Jiazhen, deputy general manager of Changhong International Shipbuilding, and Mr. Liu Ming, assistant to the general manager of shipbuilding.

The LR2 tanker project is another important achievement of deepening cooperation between the two companies following the signing of contracts for 2 vessels of 2700 TEU and 6 vessels of 3100 TEU in 2018.

This ship type is a new generation LR2/Aframax oil tanker developed by Changhong International in collaboration with CIMC Shanghai Institute (CIMC ORIC) based on the latest specifications and rules, with a total length of 249.9 meters, a length between perpendiculars of 245.5 meters, a width of 44 meters, a depth of 21.5 meters, a structural draft of 15.2 meters, and a maximum deadweight tonnage of 115,000 tons.

Since the contract was signed last May, the Changhong design team has actively engaged with the shipowner through model reviews, WRIKE system drawing management, and other means, fully collecting various opinions and suggestions, and continuously providing efficient and high-quality services to the shipowner.

The 115,000-ton tanker is the latest generation product of this type of vessel on the market, featuring significant energy-saving and environmental protection characteristics. It adopts a bulbous bow, which balances design draft and structural draft for improved performance, reducing overall fuel consumption and carbon emissions, achieving excellent carbon emission ratings. This vessel uses the latest generation 6G60ME main engine, equipped with larger diameter propellers compared to similar vessel types, as well as energy-saving devices such as vortex dissipating fins and energy-saving ducts, significantly improving propulsion efficiency. At the same design speed, the continuous power (NCR) of the vessel's main engine is reduced by 10% compared to similar vessels, and the energy efficiency index meets the highest three-stage requirements. The project has undergone multiple rounds of optimization in compartment division, total longitudinal bending moment, and center of buoyancy position, enhancing buoyancy and stability. It ensures the vessel has maximized cargo hold volume and optimizes the total longitudinal bending moment, achieving excellent lightweight indicators. After loading, the cargo hold volume can reach approximately 132,000 cubic meters, capable of carrying about 830,000 barrels of product oil or crude oil.

As the main vessel type of Changhong International in recent years, the company holds orders for 16 vessels of 115,000 tons. Taking advantage of the good opportunity of this vessel's construction commencement, Changhong International will further enhance its core competitiveness and continuously strive for green, efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly shipbuilding.