China’s Henghui Shipping has reportedly ordered up to four 38,000-dwt multipurpose heavy-lift vessels from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), with the reported agreement covering two firm ships and options for two additional units.
Contract prices and delivery dates have not been disclosed. At the time of the source report, neither Henghui nor ZPMC had issued an accessible announcement confirming the commercial terms.
Each vessel is reported to have three 250-tonne cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 500 tonnes. The design includes two extended cargo holds, with the longest measuring 76.8 m, along with a continuous open deck for oversized machinery and project cargo.
The reported specification covers the transport of breakbulk cargo, industrial equipment and long or heavy components. The open deck and extended cargo hold could also accommodate wind-energy cargo, although no employment contracts or intended trades have been disclosed.
Reported energy-saving features include rudder bulbs, wake-equalising ducts and an optimised hull form. A high-voltage shore-power connection would allow the vessels to draw electricity from the local grid at ports where suitable infrastructure is available.
If confirmed, the Henghui order would represent a second customer for ZPMC’s multipurpose heavy-lift shipbuilding business.
ZPMC previously entered the segment with a four-vessel programme for Chinese-Polish operator Chipolbrok. The first vessel in that series was launched at ZPMC’s Qidong Marine Engineering facility in May 2026.
The Chipolbrok vessels are 182 m long and 30 m wide, with two cargo holds and a maximum hold length of 76.8 m. They are equipped with three ZPMC-built 350-tonne cranes, providing tandem lifting capacity of up to 700 tonnes.
The crane arrangement differs from the three 250-tonne units reported for the Henghui vessels. Both programmes, however, feature a 38,000-dwt capacity and a maximum cargo hold length of 76.8 m.
Two vessels in the Chipolbrok series, Wyspiański and Chełmoński, were named on 28 August 2026. The four-ship programme was designed for oversized cargo including wind turbine components, construction machinery and industrial equipment. All four vessels were reported as either completed or under construction.
Key details of the reported Henghui order remain undisclosed, including delivery timing, classification, propulsion arrangements, financing and the identity of the crane supplier. The two optional vessels remain separate from the two reported firm orders.
