Hengli Heavy Industries has reached another major production milestone after five new vessels were moved out of its No.4 dock on 18 September, marking one of the largest simultaneous undocking operations carried out by the rapidly expanding Chinese shipbuilder.

The first two vessels, both 114,000 dwt LR2 product tankers, were moved out of the dock in the morning and successfully berthed at designated terminals. Three 82,000 dwt bulk carriers followed later, with all five vessels completing the undocking and berthing process by the afternoon before entering the next stage of outfitting work.

The achievement represents the latest demonstration of Hengli’s ability to handle multiple large commercial vessels within a single production cycle, as the company continues to build up its position in the global merchant shipbuilding market.

According to Hengli Heavy Industries, its No.4 dock measures 860 metres in length and 146 metres in width, making it the world’s largest shipbuilding dock by capacity. The facility can accommodate the simultaneous construction of up to four 24,000 TEU containerships.

The scale of the facility reflects Hengli’s ambition to become a major player in large commercial vessel construction.

From infrastructure investment to production capability

The latest milestone comes after a series of high-volume construction achievements at Hengli’s shipyard.

Earlier this year, the company completed the simultaneous undocking of four VLCCs from its No.1 dock, six vessels from its No.3 dock, and four vessels from its No.2 dock.

The repeated completion of multi-vessel dock operations indicates that Hengli is gradually establishing production systems across its different dock facilities rather than relying on individual project deliveries.

Following the completion of the latest batch of vessels, Hengli said its No.4 dock will begin construction of a new group of high-value ships, including ultra-large containerships, VLCCs and advanced gas carriers.

The move highlights Hengli’s intention to expand beyond conventional bulk and tanker construction into higher-value ship segments.

A shipyard built for scale

Hengli Heavy Industries has developed one of the largest shipbuilding complexes in China in a relatively short period.

Public information shows that the company’s No.1 dock measures 740 metres by 135 metres and can simultaneously construct four 300,000 dwt VLCCs.

Its No.2 and No.3 docks are both 860 metres long and 80 metres wide, each capable of accommodating two 24,000 TEU containerships.

The No.4 dock, with its wider 146-metre configuration, was designed specifically to support ultra-large vessels and high-efficiency production.

Such facilities provide Hengli with the physical capacity to compete for some of the largest commercial shipbuilding projects globally.

However, industry observers note that dock size alone does not determine shipbuilding competitiveness. The ability to maintain construction quality, delivery reliability, supply chain coordination and engineering capability will ultimately determine Hengli’s long-term position.

Rapid orderbook expansion

Hengli Heavy Industries has expanded quickly since entering the commercial shipbuilding sector.

According to company information, by the end of July 2026, Hengli had secured nearly 550 ship orders within four years of operation, with its delivery schedule extending to 2030.

The company is also continuing to expand capacity, with plans to invest RMB 13.5bn ($1.9bn) across three major production expansion projects.

Previously reported projects include the construction of No.5 and No.6 docks, which will further increase Hengli’s shipbuilding capacity. The new docks are expected to measure 1,298 metres in total length, 146 metres in width and 15 metres in depth.

The continued expansion reflects confidence in long-term demand for large commercial vessels, particularly as shipowners worldwide begin preparing for fleet renewal driven by ageing fleets and environmental regulations.

Implications for China’s shipbuilding landscape

Hengli’s rapid rise adds another major competitor to China’s already dominant shipbuilding industry.

Chinese yards have strengthened their global position in recent years, particularly in containerships, bulk carriers, tankers and specialised commercial vessels. The entry of a large-scale new shipbuilder adds further capacity to an already competitive market.

For shipowners, increased competition among major yards could provide more options when ordering large vessels, although available dock capacity remains a key consideration as demand grows across multiple segments.

For Hengli, the challenge now moves beyond building facilities and securing orders. Maintaining consistent delivery performance across hundreds of vessels will be critical as it transitions from a new entrant into an established global shipbuilding player.

The latest five-vessel undocking milestone shows that Hengli’s ambitious shipyard project has entered a new phase: transforming physical scale into production capability. The market will now watch how effectively the company converts that capacity into long-term commercial success.