China launches vessel with the world's largest pile-driving capacity

The "Erhai Changqing" pile-driving vessel, which features the world's tallest derrick at the stern and the highest pile-driving capacity, set sail on Monday from Nantong in East China's Jiangsu Province. It marks a new milestone in China's hydraulic engineering capabilities, according to a CMG report.

Built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co, (ZPMC), the vessel measures 130.5 meters in length, 40.8 meters in width, and 8.4 meters in depth. It is equipped with a 150-meter-high derrick, capable of installing pile foundations weighing up to 700 tons and measuring 7 meters in diameter. 

Its main hydraulic cylinder generates 5,000 tons of thrust, setting a global benchmark. The vessel features a high-precision positioning system for deep-sea piling, enabling centimeter-level precision.

The previous record-holder, "Yihang Jinzhuang," also constructed by ZPMC, was delivered to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) First Harbor Engineering Co in 2022, featuring a derrick height of 142 meters, which is marginally shorter than "Erhai Changqing."

The production of large hydraulic cylinder seals, bearing lubrication pads, and corrosion-resistant materials has traditionally relied on foreign suppliers, which is often costly. 

To address this, CCCC Second Harbor Bureau collaborated with six top domestic companies and four universities, including Beijing-based Tsinghua University and Shanghai-based Tongji University, to develop domestic alternatives for hydraulic cylinder components through research, simulation, and testing.

China is the global leader in the production of large offshore wind turbines, necessitating advanced vessels for the installation of turbine foundations and structures.

Under the oversight of maritime authorities, the vessel is currently en route to the Sujiaoyong High-Speed Rail — Hangzhou Bay Cross-Sea Railway Bridge construction site. It will play a critical role in the construction of major infrastructure projects, including large ports, cross-sea bridges, and offshore wind farms.