Shanghai Ship Design is making waves in the global shipbuilding market. Over the past two years, Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI), under China State Shipbuilding Corporation, has delivered impressive results. In 2024, SDARI secured 22.5% of the global market share for new ship design orders. By the first three quarters of 2025, the institute had received orders for 254 new ship designs, setting a decade-high record and showcasing China's competitive edge in the global shipbuilding industry.
From supporting key economic vessels to pioneering niche brands, and from traditional shipping equipment to green and intelligent ships, SDARI has established a strong presence worldwide with its comprehensive design capabilities. These span bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, as well as specialized vessels like offshore and engineering ships.
**Setting the Standard for Green Ships** In response to the "dual carbon" goals and the shift toward smart shipbuilding, SDARI has taken the lead in low-carbon and intelligent technology R&D, defining the future of shipping with groundbreaking innovations.
The institute designed the world's first ammonia-fueled 1,400-TEU container ship, now under construction, marking ammonia's entry as a viable fuel option in the shipping industry. Equipped with a 350-cubic-meter ammonia fuel tank, the vessel achieves an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) approximately 94% below the baseline when running on ammonia, reducing CO₂ emissions by about 10,000 tons annually. It also features high-voltage shore power technology for zero emissions in ports. This project not only won the 5th "Shanghai Design 100+" award but also spurred domestic ammonia fuel industry development.
SDARI has also developed other pioneering vessels, including: - The world's first ammonia dual-fuel 26,000-ton chemical tanker - The first green methanol dual-fuel 325,000-ton ore carrier - The first autonomous 740-TEU electric container ship - The first large electric-driven fracturing vessel, "Offshore Oil 696" - A 40,000-cubic-meter LPG/liquid ammonia carrier setting benchmarks for medium-sized gas carriers (MGC)
**Transforming Car Carrier Designs** SDARI’s Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) designs have undergone a remarkable evolution, transitioning from a niche product two decades ago to a flagship offering. Load capacity has surged from a few thousand vehicles to a record 10,800 vehicles.
Notable achievements include: - The world's first LNG dual-fuel hybrid 3,600-vehicle PCTC - The newly delivered 9,500-vehicle methanol-fueled PCTC "Anji Maosheng," tailored for automakers like SAIC Motor, aligning with global low-carbon shipping trends
**Expanding the Green Fleet** SDARI continues to diversify its green ship portfolio: - A 64,000-ton LNG-reformed hydrogen-powered bulk carrier, pioneering hydrogen in bulk transport - A 50,000-cubic-meter ammonia bunkering vessel, supporting ammonia-fueled ships - A 113,000-ton ammonia dual-fuel tanker, broadening alternative fuel applications
All four designs have received Approval in Principle (AiP) from leading international classification societies.
In the multi-purpose vessel sector, the "GREEN OCTOPUS" series, featuring LNG and methanol fuel options, has become a global benchmark for low-carbon ships. Combined with the "iOCTOPUS" smart series, SDARI offers a comprehensive product matrix covering nearly 40 vessel types.
**Advancing Smart Ship Technology** At SDARI’s Smart Ship Innovation Lab, researchers focus on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) and digital twin technologies, advancing the development, testing, and optimization of autonomous vessels.
Key milestones in smart shipping include: - Participation in IMO regulations and international standards for autonomous ships, strengthening China’s influence - Development of the Digital Operation Support System (DOSS®), providing lifecycle services such as energy efficiency, carbon emissions, equipment maintenance, and navigation safety management - The 2019 launch of the world’s first 400,000-ton smart ore carrier, "Ming Yuan," featuring intelligent navigation and diagnostics - The 2024 "Xin Hong Zhuan" smart research vessel, equipped with autonomous navigation and remote control capabilities - A DOSS®-enabled pure electric container ship launched in September, offering real-time monitoring and remote operation
SDARI has also introduced a "3D integrated design model," enabling collaborative hull and mechanical design in a unified digital environment. The institute has further enhanced efficiency with cloud-based workflows and AI-driven digital assistants like "Ai Wan" and "Ai Rui," streamlining ship design and optimization.
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