A shipyard in the Tongzhou district of Nantong city – situated in East China's Jiangsu province – has created a first in China by developing the first bulk cargo ship with a deadweight of 79,900 metric tons.

The advancement by Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Co Ltd is in response to the nation's call to form a new economic development paradigm with the domestic market as its mainstay.

To date, the shipyard has received orders to build 16 of these ships.

Designed to an optimal scale and with a streamlined shape, the vessel has reduced water resistance and is more suitable for domestic offshore navigating zones.

In addition to its main engine, the vessel also comes equipped with a shaft generator. When it is en route, the surplus power of the main engine drives the shaft generator – thereby generating electricity that is used to meet the demands of the auxiliary equipment of the ship. This significantly reduces the ship's overall fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Two of this new series of bulk cargo ships are currently under construction. [Photo/ntfabu.com]