On 27 February, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC) began construction on four vessels, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) reports.

The vessels comprise two 115,000-tonne product tankers (hulls 65 and 93), one 115,000-tonne crude oil tanker (hull 11), and one LNG dual-fuel 307,000-tonne crude oil tanker (hull 113).

CSSC reported a number of additional production milestones across its shipbuilding subsidiaries as operations accelerated following the Lunar New Year holiday.

On 27 February, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding provided an update on its second domestically built large cruise ship, H1509. CSSC said the overall project has reached 94% completion, with construction progress at 92%, ahead of schedule. The vessel is expected to reach its undocking milestone in mid-March.

Between 26 and 27 February, Hudong-Zhonghua is said to have completed the undocking of three LNG carriers within two days, marking what the yard described as an intensive start to the working year.

Huangpu Wenchong, meanwhile, recorded several milestones over the same two-day period, including the start of construction on one vessel, the docking of two vessels, the undocking of another, and the commencement of sea trials for one ship.

As previously reported in January, DSIC received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore for a 175,000 cbm LNG carrier concept incorporating wind-assisted propulsion. The design, which is expected to achieve more than a 5% reduction in overall energy consumption, combines LNG dual-fuel propulsion with three foldable wing sails manufactured from lightweight composite materials.