Shipbuilding Technology, Ultra Large Gantry Cranes, Global Shipyard Expansion, Heavy Lift Engineering: Hengli Heavy Sets New Records with World’s Biggest Cranes
Construction of shipbuilding technology-driven infrastructure featuring ultra large gantry cranes, global shipyard expansion, and heavy lift engineering has begun at Hengli Heavy Industry’s super drydock on Changxing Island in Dalian, marking a major leap in maritime industrial capability. The project is set to break multiple world records and further strengthen Hengli’s rapid emergence as a dominant force in global shipbuilding.
According to Jiangsu Tianmu Construction Group, the development includes two 2,000-tonne gantry cranes with a record-breaking 256-meter span, highlighting advancements in shipbuilding technology, ultra large gantry cranes, global shipyard expansion, and heavy lift engineering. Each crane weighs 12,700 tonnes, setting a new benchmark as the heaviest gantry cranes ever built, with a single-lift capacity exceeding 10,500 tonnes and a lifting height of 100 meters. A third 1,000-tonne crane, also spanning 256 meters, will carry a total weight of 9,300 tonnes and deliver an 8,000-tonne lifting capacity.
All three cranes will operate within the same drydock, creating what is described as an exceptionally powerful shipbuilding environment. The integration of this advanced heavy-lift infrastructure is expected to enable the assembly of ultra-large modules as complete units, improving drydock construction efficiency by more than 50% and significantly accelerating vessel production timelines.
This milestone is part of a broader transformation story. Hengli Heavy Industry was revived in mid-2022 by Chen Jianhua at the former site of the defunct STX Dalian shipyard. Since then, the company has experienced extraordinary growth, securing orders at an unprecedented pace, including an average of one order every three days throughout 2025, with momentum continuing into 2026.
Industry data indicates Hengli has now become China’s largest shipyard by order volume, securing 174 contracts worth approximately $16 billion over the past year. Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) account for a significant share of these orders, reflecting strong demand in the global tanker market. The yard’s orderbook now extends through 2029, supported by a 13.5 billion yuan ($1.94 billion) expansion plan aimed at making it the largest shipyard facility worldwide.
Earlier this year, Hengli also achieved another industry milestone by becoming the first shipbuilder to simultaneously launch four 306,000 dwt VLCCs, reinforcing its position at the forefront of global shipbuilding innovation and large-scale maritime infrastructure development.
