Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding

New location of Hudong–Zhonghua Shipyard - Changxingdao island

Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding was formed by the merger of Hudong Shipbuilding Group and Zhonghua shipyard.[2]

Hudong-Zhonghua constructed Dapeng Sun, the first LNG carrier built in China, for US$160 million. Delivery, four months late, occurred in April 2008.[3][4]

In 2005, it was announced that Hudong-Zhonghua intended to invest 1 billion Kč into a joint venture with České loděnice (Czech Shipyard) in Děčín.[5] České loděnice avoided collapse by merging with VEKA Group in 2011.[6] In July 2001, a 5000-ton gantry crane collapsed at Hudong Shipbuilding Group while being erected, killing 36 workers and injuring another eight. It was the first gantry crane designed and built in China.[7]

In May 2008, two 600-ton gantry cranes collapsed during a lifting operation, killing three and injuring another two.[8]

In September 2017, Hudong-Zhonghua was contracted to build five of nine[9] 23,000 TEU[10] Jacques Saadé-class container ships.[10] The ships were at the time the world's largest container vessels to run on LNG, measuring 400 meters long and 61 meters wide.[11] The first, CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, was delivered on 22 September 2020;[12] delivery had been expected in November 2019 but was delayed by 10 months.[10] By 2021, all of the five ships contracted to Hudong-Zhonghua had been delivered.[11]

In 2019, Hudong-Zhonghua won a contract for four 23,000 TEU ships from the Taiwanese Evergreen shipping line, after the successful delivery of four 2,500 teu ships to the same company previously. A spokesperson for Hudong-Zhonghua's parent China State Shipbuilding Corporation said "this showed major liner operators had endorsed the shipbuilder’s design and construction of ultra-large containerships".[13]

In 2020, Hudong-Zhonghua won a US$3 billion contract for 16 LNG carriers to be delivered to QatarEnergy.[14] The tender was part of a plan by QatarEnergy, the world's largest LNG producer to support its expected increase in LNG production, and will potentially include up to 100 new LNG carriers.[15][16]

In January 2021, it was reported that the Hudong-Zhonghua yard would relocate to Changxing Island, next to the Jiangnan Shipyard.[17] Construction of the yard commenced in January 2021. The first of two phases is expected to be completed in 2023 for CN¥8 billion. The total cost is expected to be CN¥18 billion.[18]

In June 2021, Evergreen awarded a contract to Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding for a pair of 24,000 TEU Evergreen A-class ships, which will become the world's largest container ships by TEU, with delivery expected in late 2023 to early 2024. The ships were estimated to cost $180m each.[13] In March 2022, another 3 ships of the class were ordered.[19]

Early Chinese-built LNG carriers suffered reliability issues. Dapeng Sun underwent lengthy repairs in Singapore 14 months after being delivered.[20] CESI Gladstone, a LNG carrier delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua in October 2016, suffered a propulsion breakdown near Papua New Guinea in June 2018.[21]

The F-22P frigate built by Hudong-Zhonghua for the Pakistan Navy

Hudong Heavy Machinery

Created from the merger of the engine divisions of the Hudong and Shanghai Shipyards[22]

Hudong Shipyard[23]

Shanghai Edward Shipbuilding

Created in 1997 as a joint venture between CSSC and Hansa Shipbuilding.[24] Reportedly a joint venture between Hudong–Zhonghua and Hansa in 2005.[23]

Huarun Dadong Shipyard

Joint venture with China Resources[23]

Zhonghua Shipyard[23]

• List of shipbuilders and shipyards
• G4-class freighter, built by Hudong–Zhonghua

• Official web site (in English)
• China State Shipbuilding Corporation web site (in English)