Chipolbrok has launched MV Wyspiański, the first vessel in a new multipurpose heavy lift series designed for offshore wind and project cargo transport. The ship was launched on 20 May at ZPMC’s yard in Qidong, China, introducing a new vessel platform focused on oversized industrial cargoes.
The 37,450 tonnes deadweight vessel is the first confirmed unit in a series of at least four ships being built at Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC). The program is progressing quickly, with sister vessel MV Chełmoński launched only days earlier.
The Wyspiański class uses a forward superstructure layout, moving accommodation space to the bow to increase open cargo deck area. The vessel is 182 m long, has a beam of 30 m and a design draft of 11.1 m. It is fitted with three 350 t deck cranes, allowing tandem lifts of up to 700 t.
The design supports the movement of wind turbine components, offshore structures, refinery columns and power generation equipment. Its service speed is 14.5 knots, in line with multipurpose heavy lift tonnage used on intercontinental routes. Two more vessels in the series are under construction at Qidong, taking the confirmed total to four.
The launch is part of a wider fleet renewal program at Chipolbrok, one of the longest-established deepsea multipurpose carriers. Founded in 1951 as a Chinese-Polish joint venture, the company operates 32 vessels with combined capacity of more than 1.2 million deadweight tonnes.
Earlier this month, Chipolbrok took delivery of MV Kopernik, the eighth and final ship in its 62,000 DWT multipurpose series built at Taizhou Kouan Shipbuilding. That vessel, equipped for 300 t tandem lifts, has already been assigned to wind energy and infrastructure trades.
In January 2026, Chipolbrok signed a separate contract for six 60,800 DWT multipurpose heavy lift vessels at Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, with options for four additional ships. The vessels will carry 200 t cranes with 400 t tandem lift capacity and bow thrusters for improved port maneuverability. Deliveries are scheduled to start in November 2027.
Across its confirmed orderbook, 10 new multipurpose freighters are expected to join Chipolbrok’s fleet over the next two to three years.
The investment reflects rising demand for specialized heavy transport capacity as offshore and onshore wind projects expand across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Multipurpose vessels with high crane capacity and open deck space are increasingly needed to move blades, nacelles, tower sections and foundation structures beyond the reach of conventional cargo ships.
Chipolbrok has also expanded activity in Europe. From January to May 2026, the carrier completed seven departures from Italian ports including Marghera, Marina di Carrara, Genoa and Civitavecchia, loading project cargoes such as reactors, transformers and turbines alongside commercial shipments.
The names of the new vessels continue the company’s practice of honoring Polish cultural figures. MV Wyspiański refers to Stanisław Wyspiański, while MV Chełmoński honors Józef Chełmoński.
Market estimates place the value of the ZPMC-built vessels at just under $50 million per unit. For ZPMC, the order also marks a move into heavy lift vessel construction beyond its core position in port crane and terminal equipment manufacturing.
