Chengxi Shipyard Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), successfully delivered the GCL Mahanadi — the world’s largest gravity self-unloading vessel on May 23.
Chengxi Shipyard Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), successfully delivered the GCL Mahanadi — the world’s largest gravity self-unloading vessel on May 23. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The vessel is set to sail to Liberia, West Africa, to support cargo transportation for Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, and make a significant contribution to global maritime trade.
The conversion work of the vessel primarily included the installation of a gravity self-unloading system, a new bow thruster, two reverse osmosis watermakers, three new generators, a new main switchboard for the living quarters, and over 120 kilometers of newly laid cabling. The project involved more than 5,500 tons of structural steel modifications.
Facing tight deadlines and high precision requirements, the project team acted quickly and optimized every step, from planning and technical reviews to safety checks and on-site operations. By simulating the equipment installation in advance, they reduced the design tolerance from the usual 15 mm to just 2 mm. More than 300 key measurements ensured the successful one-time hoisting of the 500-ton CLOOP steel structure, setting a new benchmark in the industry.
Throughout the construction phase, the team worked closely, shared best practices, and overcame challenges such as limited equipment. They completed the wear-resistant plate installation in 42 days instead of the planned 60, allowing the vessel to be delivered four days ahead of schedule.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
