After about 15 months of work by the Dalian New Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co Ltd (DNS), the 330-metre-long and 58-metre-wide VLCC (very large crude oil carrier) is helping China catch up with Japan and South Korea in the building of super tankers.

"The undocking of the first VLCC is a dream come true for generations of Chinese shipbuilders," said Huang Pingtao, president of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).

Huang said CSIC has required the DNS staff to guarantee that the first crude oil carrier's delivery schedule is on time and that the four other tankers ordered are of the highest quality.

In August 1999, DNS won a contract with the National Iranian Tankers Company (NITC) to build all five 300,000 DWT (dead-weight tons) tankers.

"Iran Delvar" is the first of the five VLCCs. Another two are already under construction, said Sha Jungang, DNS president.

Sha said the contract provided DNS with a good opportunity and challenge in its design capability, construction level and management.

As required, the life expectancy of the hull of the first VLCC was 40 years - 15 years longer than the VLCCs built before in South Korea. The ship is equipped with advanced navigational systems.

The first tanker will be given to NITC in March. The other four will be ready by 2003.

"From the very day we signed the contract, many people thought we made a wrong decision because China was not in the business of building such big tankers, but today's achievement is a good example of how quality and co-operation can work to the customers' satisfaction," said Mohammad Souri, Iranian Deputy Oil Minister and chairman and managing director of NITC.

(China Daily November 2, 2001)