World's largest piling vessel delivered in China's Jiangsu

(ECNS) -- The world’s largest pile-driving barge, Erhang Changqing, was delivered in Qidong, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for China’s shipbuilding industry.

Construction of the vessel began on Jan. 18, 2024. Equipped with the world's tallest pile frame at 150 meters, a hoisting capacity of 700 metric tons and advanced wind resistance capabilities, it sets new global standards for scale and performance in the pile-driving industry.

Measuring 130.5 meters in length, 40.8 meters in width, and 8.4 meters in depth, the ship boasts a self-developed hydraulic cylinder capable of generating 5,000 metric tons of thrust, making it the most powerful vessel of its kind. Its state-of-the-art pile-driving positioning system powered by offshore satellite differential technology, achieves centimeter-level precision for deep-sea installation.

Compared to traditional pile-driving vessels, Erhang Changqing features a more environmentally-friendly and intelligent design. It is expected to play a pivotal role in constructing large-scale ports, cross-sea bridges, and offshore wind farms.

The vessel was developed by the Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Corp. and built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.