Chinese Southeast Asia 38,000 DWT Bulk Carrier Shipbuilding Project
Project Overview
A major shipyard in Southeast Asia undertook the construction of a new 38,000 DWT ocean-going bulk carrier, designed and built under the classification requirements of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).The vessel required a comprehensive marine steel material package for its hull structure, deck construction, bulkheads, internal framing, and onboard piping systems.
As an ABS-classed vessel, the project required strict material quality control, complete classification certificates, and compliance with applicable marine steel specifications. All supplied hull plates and structural steel sections were required to carry ABS classification certificates, with inspection arrangements supporting on-site verification by the classification surveyor.
The material supply package included AH36 and DH36 high-strength shipbuilding steel plates, AH36 bulb flat steel, 316L seamless stainless steel pipes, and 304L welded stainless steel pipes.
These materials supported both the vessel’s primary structural construction and its seawater cooling and freshwater piping systems.
Project Requirements
Shipbuilding projects require reliable material properties, consistent manufacturing quality, and strict traceability throughout hull fabrication and vessel assembly.
For this 38,000 DWT bulk carrier, the shipyard established several key material procurement requirements:
- ABS classification compliance: Marine steel plates and structural sections supplied with valid ABS classification certificates.
- High-strength hull materials: AH36 and DH36 steel plates for hull plating, deck structures, and bulkheads.
- Structural framing materials: AH36 bulb flat steel for hull stiffeners and framing components.
- Marine piping materials: 316L stainless steel seamless pipes for seawater cooling systems and 304L welded stainless steel pipes for onboard freshwater systems.
- Quality inspection: Impact testing and ultrasonic testing (UT) of the specified plates and structural materials.
- Surveyor verification: Support for on-site material inspection and verification by the ABS classification surveyor.
The supplier was required to coordinate different marine steel products while maintaining the documentation and inspection standards necessary for classification approval.
Marine Steel Material Supply Details
The project involved five categories of shipbuilding steel and stainless steel piping materials, totaling 544 metric tons.
| Material | Specification | Grade / Standard | Quantity |
| High-Strength Shipbuilding Steel Plate | 14 × 2000 × 12000 mm | AH36 / ABS | 226 Tons |
| High-Strength Shipbuilding Steel Plate | 20 × 2000 × 12000 mm | DH36 / ABS | 164 Tons |
| Marine Bulb Flat Steel | 280 × 16 mm, 12 m fixed length | AH36 / ABS | 92 Tons |
| Seamless Stainless Steel Pipe | OD 89 × 4.0 mm / OD 114.3 × 5.0 mm | 316L / ASTM A312 | 38 Tons |
| Welded Stainless Steel Pipe | OD 168 × 4.5 mm | 304L / ASTM A312 | 24 Tons |
The material package covered the vessel’s main hull construction requirements and supporting marine piping applications.
Project Supply Solution
1. AH36 and DH36 High-Strength Steel Plates for Hull Construction
The shipyard required high-strength marine steel plates for the vessel’s hull plating, deck structures, and bulkheads.
The supply package included 226 tons of AH36 shipbuilding steel plates with dimensions of 14 × 2000 × 12000 mm and 164 tons of DH36 steel plates with dimensions of 20 × 2000 × 12000 mm.
Both grades were supplied for ABS-classed shipbuilding applications.
AH36 and DH36 are high-strength marine structural steel grades commonly used where hull structures require a combination of strength, weldability, and specified impact toughness.
The supplied plates supported the fabrication of primary hull structural components during the vessel’s sectional construction process.
2. AH36 Bulb Flat Steel for Hull Framing
In addition to marine steel plates, the vessel required AH36 bulb flat steel for hull framing and stiffening applications.
A total of 92 tons of AH36 bulb flat steel, measuring 280 × 16 mm and supplied in 12-meter fixed lengths, was included in the material package.
Bulb flat steel is widely used in shipbuilding for reinforcing hull plating, decks, and other structural panels.
Its cross-sectional geometry makes it suitable for marine stiffening applications, supporting structural strength while providing efficient fabrication and welding arrangements.
The material was supplied with ABS classification documentation to meet the shipyard’s inspection and material traceability requirements.
3. 316L Stainless Steel Pipes for Seawater Cooling Systems
The vessel’s seawater cooling system required stainless steel piping suitable for marine operating conditions.
The supply package included 38 tons of 316L seamless stainless steel pipes manufactured to ASTM A312 specifications.
Two pipe dimensions were supplied:
- OD 89 × 4.0 mm
- OD 114.3 × 5.0 mm
316L stainless steel was selected for its corrosion-resistant properties and suitability for the specified seawater cooling piping application.
Material selection for seawater systems must account for operating conditions, including chloride exposure, temperature, flow conditions, and the possibility of localized corrosion.
The supplied pipes supported the installation of the vessel’s seawater cooling pipeline system.
4. 304L Stainless Steel Pipes for Freshwater Systems
For the onboard freshwater piping system, the project required 24 tons of 304L welded stainless steel pipes.
The specified pipe dimension was OD 168 × 4.5 mm, manufactured to ASTM A312.
304L stainless steel provides corrosion resistance for many freshwater piping applications, while its low-carbon composition supports weldability during pipe fabrication and installation.
The stainless steel piping package enabled the shipyard to source materials for both seawater cooling and freshwater systems through a coordinated procurement arrangement.
Quality Control and ABS Classification Inspection
Material certification and inspection were essential requirements for this ABS-classed shipbuilding project.
All supplied shipbuilding steel plates and bulb flat steel sections were accompanied by the required ABS classification certificates.
The project quality control process included:
- ABS Classification Certificates
All marine steel plates and structural sections were supplied with ABS classification documentation, supporting material identification and traceability. - Impact Testing
The specified materials passed impact testing requirements to verify their mechanical performance. - Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Required ultrasonic inspections were completed successfully, supporting the verification of material internal quality. - Classification Surveyor Verification
The supplied materials successfully passed on-site verification by the classification surveyor.
The complete certification and inspection arrangements helped the shipyard meet the classification requirements during material acceptance and subsequent construction activities.
Project Results
The project successfully completed the supply and acceptance of all specified marine steel and stainless steel piping materials.
All shipbuilding steel plates and structural sections were delivered with the required ABS classification certificates. Impact testing and ultrasonic inspection results met the applicable project requirements.
The materials also passed on-site verification by the classification surveyor, allowing the shipyard to proceed with its planned construction activities.
During vessel fabrication, the sectional construction and hull block joining processes progressed successfully without reported material-related disruption.
The 38,000 DWT bulk carrier was completed and launched according to the project schedule.
The coordinated supply of hull steel plates, bulb flat steel, and marine piping materials supported the shipyard’s fabrication efficiency, quality control, and timely vessel delivery.
Project Value Delivered
This project demonstrated the importance of reliable marine steel material supply and classification documentation for large commercial shipbuilding projects.
- ABS-certified marine steel: Classification certificates supported hull material acceptance and surveyor verification.
- High-strength hull construction: AH36 and DH36 plates supplied the main structural steel requirements.
- Integrated structural material supply: AH36 bulb flat steel supported hull framing and sectional construction.
- Marine piping solutions: 316L and 304L stainless steel pipes met the specified cooling and freshwater system procurement needs.
- Successful quality inspection: Impact testing, ultrasonic inspection, and surveyor verification were completed.
- On-schedule vessel launching: Coordinated material delivery supported smooth hull assembly and project execution.
Marine Steel Supply Solutions for Global Shipbuilding Projects
Commercial shipbuilding projects require consistent material quality, reliable certification, and effective procurement coordination across multiple steel product categories.
From hull plating and structural stiffeners to onboard piping systems, marine material supply must support both fabrication efficiency and classification compliance.
Our project-based steel supply solutions serve shipyards, marine engineering contractors, vessel manufacturers, and offshore equipment fabricators.
Our product supply capabilities cover:
- AH36, DH36, and other shipbuilding steel plates
- ABS-classified marine structural steel
- Bulb flat steel for hull frames and stiffeners
- Stainless steel seamless and welded pipes
- Marine steel plates and structural profiles
- Customized material specifications and fixed-length supply
- Material certification and third-party inspection coordination
Looking for marine steel materials for a shipbuilding project?
Contact our team with your vessel specifications, required steel grades, material dimensions, classification requirements, and procurement quantities to discuss a suitable supply solution.
