In 2025, China's shipbuilding industry once again demonstrated its strength on the global stage, delivering an impressive annual performance. As in previous years, the International Shipping Network has selected the 10 most distinctive new ships (note: ranked by delivery date) from among the numerous vessels delivered by Chinese shipyards throughout the year. This comprehensive review highlights the outstanding achievements of China's shipbuilding sector over the past year and looks forward to Chinese shipbuilders continuing to scale new heights on the path of high-quality development in 2026.
1.The world's most powerful pile driving ship, "Erhang Changqing"
On January 5th, the delivery ceremony for the 150-meter pile-driving vessel "Erhang Changqing," built by Zhenhua Heavy Industries for China Communications Second Harbor Engineering Bureau, was held at Zhenhua Heavy Industries. This vessel boasts the world's tallest pile frame, the largest pile-lifting capacity, the longest driving capability, and the strongest resistance to wind and waves.
With an overall length of 130.5 meters, a molded breadth of 40.8 meters, a molded depth of 8.4 meters, and a pile frame height of 150 meters, the vessel is capable of driving piles with a maximum weight of 700 tons and a diameter of 7 meters.
The vessel is the first in the industry to adopt a diesel-electric hybrid DC grid system equipped with supercapacitors, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. It features the world's largest 5,000-ton thrust ultra-large hydraulic cylinder, independently developed and manufactured in China. Additionally, it is equipped with a pile-driving positioning system with offshore satellite differential capabilities, enabling centimeter-level precision in deep-sea pile-driving operations. The vessel also incorporates an intelligent pile-driving operation management system that integrates real-time hydrological parameter sensing, operational decision support, automatic process identification, and automated pile-driving data generation. This system effectively enhances the intelligence and digitalization of vessel operations, setting a new benchmark for the intelligent and green development of pile-driving vessels.
2.The most intelligent deep-sea aquaculture vessel "Guoxin No. 1-2-1".
On April 17, the globally first 150,000-ton-class intelligent fishery aquaculture vessel "Guoxin No. 1-2-1," built by Beihai Shipbuilding (a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited) for Qingdao Guoxin Group, was named and delivered. As an upgraded version of the world's first 100,000-ton-class aquaculture vessel "Guoxin No. 1," "Guoxin No. 1-2-1" embodies the mission of advancing China's deep-sea aquaculture equipment.
The vessel has an overall length of 244.9 meters and a breadth of 45 meters. It is equipped with 15 large aquaculture tanks, with a total tank capacity of 96,000 cubic meters. Through technical upgrades such as aquaculture water volume expansion, seawater exchange system optimization, power load adjustment, and the integration of photovoltaic power generation systems, the vessel significantly enhances automation, intelligence, and economic efficiency. It also features multi-factor collaborative aquaculture testing capabilities.
The delivery of this vessel provides a new pathway for addressing the decline in traditional fishery resources and the environmental challenges of near-shore aquaculture. Its autonomous navigation system and deep-water intake system enable it to avoid natural disasters and optimize the aquaculture environment, promoting the transformation of marine fisheries toward intelligence and modernization. This injects new momentum into the national maritime strategy and the upgrading of the fishery industry.
3.The largest methanol-ready roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ship, "Anji Ansheng".
On May 15th, the "Anji Ansheng," a 9,500-car-capacity ocean-going vehicle carrier and the world's largest roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ship built by China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry's Jinling Shipyard for SAIC Anji Logistics, was officially commissioned and set sail on its maiden voyage to Europe. As the first methanol-ready vehicle carrier built for SAIC Anji Logistics, the "Anji Ansheng" is classified by both DNV and the China Classification Society.
This vessel type was custom-developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) for the SAIC Group. With an overall length of 228 meters and a breadth of 37.8 meters, its dimensions and layout were optimized based on SAIC's main export vehicle models. The ship integrates a variety of advanced energy-saving technologies, achieving internationally leading comprehensive energy efficiency throughout its lifecycle.
Featuring a distinctive "deep methanol-ready" design, the vessel is equipped with an oversized methanol fuel tank, a fuel preparation room, and all relevant pre-installed piping systems, providing maximum flexibility for the owner's future alternative fuel choices. Additionally, the ship is equipped with an intelligent integrated platform that collects unified data across the entire vessel, enabling centralized management of both hardware and software computing resources for the ship's network and smart systems.
4.The most advanced large-scale aids to navigation (AtoN) vessel "Haixun 176".
On June 28, the large-scale aids to navigation (AtoN) vessel "Haixun 176," built by Wuchang Shipbuilding under China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the South China Sea Navigation Assurance Center of the Ministry of Transport, was successfully delivered. As the first large-scale AtoN vessel of the South China Sea Navigation Assurance Center, with a cost of approximately 150 million yuan, "Haixun 176" is currently the largest and most advanced AtoN operational vessel in China's transportation system. It will significantly enhance the comprehensive navigation assurance services and emergency response capabilities in the South China Sea region.
"Haixun 176" is a steel-hulled large-scale AtoN vessel designed by the 708th Research Institute of CSSC. It has an overall length of 75.2 meters, a breadth of 14 meters, a depth of 6.3 meters, and a designed draft of 4 meters. With a full-load displacement of about 2,450 tons, a range of 5,000 nautical miles, and an endurance of 40 days, the vessel adopts an all-electric propulsion system with dual full-revolution rudder propellers. It is equipped with a dynamic positioning system, enabling safe navigation in sea state 6 and safe operations in sea state 4. Its long endurance supports the deployment of offshore navigation aids and emergency repairs.
5.The most groundbreaking green container ship, "COSCO SHIPPING Yangpu".
On June 20, the domestically first-built 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship "COSCO SHIPPING Yangpu," constructed by Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, was delivered in Changxing Island, Shanghai. The successful delivery of this vessel marks three historic breakthroughs in the construction of large methanol dual-fuel container ships: "the first order from a domestic shipowner, the first delivery by a domestic shipyard, and the first real-ship application of a domestically produced methanol dual-fuel main engine." This not only signifies China's entry into the world's forefront in this field but also provides a "Chinese solution" with "Chinese intelligence" for the green and low-carbon transformation of the global shipping industry.
As a flagship project of COSCO Shipping Group's green, low-carbon, and intelligent shipping strategy, the ship has an overall length of 366 meters, a breadth of 51 meters, and a maximum container capacity of 16,136 TEUs. It is equipped with an ultra-large methanol storage tank of 11,000 cubic meters, sufficient to support a one-way voyage from the Far East to the West Coast of the United States without the need for mid-voyage refueling. The vessel is powered by the first domestically developed WinGD methanol dual-fuel main engine produced by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). It is also the first container ship in China to utilize methanol-powered generators and a methanol dual-fuel marine boiler. The dual-fuel system allows for flexible switching between fuel modes based on route requirements, achieving internationally top-tier operational flexibility and stability.
6.The most intelligent comprehensive scientific research vessel, "Tongji"
On July 13th, China's first ocean-class intelligent scientific research vessel, "Tongji," built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding for Tongji University, was officially delivered in Shanghai. The "Tongji" is a new-generation green, low-noise, and intelligent 2,000-ton comprehensive scientific research vessel, developed and designed by the China Ship Research and Design Center. It integrates multiple functions, including marine geology, marine chemistry, marine biology surveys, scientific research, talent cultivation, science popularization education, and cultural heritage, serving as a "floating campus" for Tongji University.
The vessel has an overall length of 81.5 meters, a breadth of 15 meters, a depth of 6.9 meters, a maximum speed of 16 knots, a range of 8,000 nautical miles, a capacity for 45 personnel, and an endurance of 35 days. Equipped with a domestically produced full-electric propulsion system, it is suitable for unrestricted navigation areas (excluding ice zones). It is China's first ocean-class comprehensive scientific research vessel to obtain all four intelligent symbols under the China Classification Society's (CCS) i-Ship standards (R1, No, E, I), representing shore-based remote control, autonomous navigation in open waters, intelligent energy efficiency management, and an intelligent integrated platform. The vessel establishes a fully closed-loop system of "perception-decision-collaboration-control."
7.The most forward-looking deep-sea experimental vessel, "Future"
On July 23, after six years of scientific research, design, and construction, the deep-sea green intelligent technology test vessel "Future" of the Taihu Laboratory for Deep-Sea Technology Science was officially named and delivered at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard. The "Future" serves as a "mobile offshore laboratory." With a total length of 110.8 meters, a full-load displacement of 7,000 tons, a maximum speed exceeding 15 knots, a capacity for 80 personnel, a range of over 10,000 nautical miles, and an endurance of more than 60 days, it is capable of operating in unlimited navigation zones.
The vessel adopts a fully electric propulsion system, dual propellers and dual rudders, bow/stern lateral thrusters, and is equipped with fin stabilizers for all speeds, providing DP-2 dynamic positioning capability. Compared to traditional research or test vessels, it offers more diverse functions, broader applications, and innovative breakthroughs in modularity and intelligence. Equipped with advanced and comprehensive systems for deep-sea equipment testing and operational support, underwater acoustic systems, a moonpool, and multidisciplinary, multifunctional laboratories, the vessel features a deck operation area of 1,500 square meters. It supports functions such as the deployment and recovery of deep-sea equipment, transportation and storage, surface and underwater detection, communication and positioning, as well as test command and coordination, meeting the needs for sea trials, flexible deployment, and operational support of various deep-sea equipment.
8.The largest Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) vessel, "NGUYA FLNG".
On August 26, the project launch ceremony for China's first large-scale Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) unit, the "NGUYA FLNG," was held by Wison Clean Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd. The "NGUYA FLNG" is the largest and highest-capacity FLNG facility independently built by China. Its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract was signed between Wison Clean Energy and Italy's ENI Group in December 2022, marking the first time a Chinese enterprise has served as the main contractor in a large-scale FLNG project.
The FLNG facility has an overall length of 376 meters, a breadth of 60 meters, and a depth of 35 meters, with an LNG storage capacity of 180,000 cubic meters and an LPG storage capacity of 45,000 cubic meters. Its annual LNG production capacity reaches 2.4 million tons, ranking it fourth globally among FLNG units in terms of annual output. It will be deployed offshore Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, supporting ENI's LNG project to achieve an annual export production of 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
9.The most competitive ro-pax ferry "GNV · VIRGO".
On October 23, the modern, large-scale green luxury dual-fuel ro-pax ferry "GNV · VIRGO," custom-built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for the ferry operator Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) under the Mediterranean Shipping Group, was officially named and delivered. Designed to accommodate 1,800 passengers and featuring 2,800 lane meters, this vessel is a large-scale export ro-pax ferry independently developed, designed, and constructed by GSI with full proprietary intellectual property rights.
The ship has an overall length of 218 meters, a breadth of 29.6 meters, a depth of 10 meters, a design draft of 6.45 meters, a gross tonnage of approximately 52,900 tons, and a deadweight of about 8,000 tons. With a design speed of 25 knots, it features 12 decks equipped with amenities such as a self-service restaurant, café, observation lounge, pizzeria, duty-free shop, airline-style seating area, children's play area, and an open-air bar. Additionally, seven elevators ensure efficient mobility throughout the vessel. Its 2,800 lane meters of deck space can accommodate over 550 passenger cars or 150 40-foot container trailers.
10.The fastest-delivered domestically produced high-end LNG carrier, "Yuanhai Oasis"
On December 19, the 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier "Yuanhai Oasis," built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding for Sinochem's LNG project, was named and delivered 3.5 months ahead of schedule, achieving a world-record construction speed of just 16 months for ships of its type. As the second vessel in the COSCO Shipping-Sinochem project series built by Hudong-Zhonghua, the "Yuanhai Oasis" has an overall length of 295 meters, a breadth of 45 meters, a depth of 26.25 meters, and a service speed of 19.5 knots.
Equipped with a globally top-tier cargo containment system and a dual-fuel low-speed engine propulsion system, along with an advanced cryogenic installation, the ship achieves precise dynamic balance between speed and boil-off gas. It can flexibly switch between long and short voyage operational modes, with navigation adaptability covering over 90% of global LNG trade routes. The vessel is classified by both the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the China Classification Society (CCS).
The "Yuanhai Oasis" is among the LNG carriers utilizing domestically produced Invar steel, reaching the highest level of domestic content in current LNG shipbuilding. Its delivery marks a new milestone in China's capability for "building national vessels with national resources."
