Weihai, Shandong Welcomes New Heavy Industry Shipyard
Rongcheng, Weihai, Shandong, China – In a significant development for the maritime industry, Weihai Maple Leaf Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. recently held its opening ceremony at Longyan Port on September 3. The event also marked the delivery ceremony for the 13,000 DWT duplex stainless steel chemical tanker “Maple Leaf Weihai.” This milestone underscores the expansion of shipbuilding and repair capabilities in the region.
Weihai Maple Leaf Heavy Industry: A Strong Foundation
Weihai Maple Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., established in August 2024 with a registered capital of $18.95 million, is a subsidiary of Maple Shipping Group, a prominent private shipping enterprise in China. The company’s ship repair and construction base, operational since June 2025, boasts four dry docks with capacities ranging from 60,000 to 200,000 tons, along with a 500-meter-long pier. The history of Maple Shipping Group traces back to 1956, formerly known as Zhang’an Shipping before rebranding to Maple Shipping Group in 1999 amidst enterprise reforms.
Advancing Towards a Green and Smart Future
Maple Leaf Shipping has transitioned from deep-sea shipping to a comprehensive industrial chain encompassing deep-sea transportation, ship repair and construction, and trade management. With a fleet handling various vessel types with deadweight tonnage between 7,000 to 57,000 DWT, the company made its foray into shipbuilding in 2005 with the establishment of Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding, specializing in chemical tankers and container ships. In 2024, Maple Leaf Shipping expanded its shipbuilding presence by founding Weihai Maple Leaf Heavy Industry in Rongcheng, Weihai.
The newly opened Weihai Maple Leaf Heavy Industry aims to focus on manufacturing high-end, smart, and green marine equipment. This strategic move aligns with Maple Leaf Shipping’s vision to establish a national-level demonstration base for green and smart ship repair and construction. Additionally, this initiative contributes to positioning Weihai as a hub for high-end shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment on a national scale.
This expansion not only signifies growth in the maritime sector but also highlights the commitment to innovation and sustainability in shipbuilding and repair practices. The emergence of Weihai Maple Leaf Heavy Industry is poised to elevate the region’s stature in the global maritime landscape, promising a future of advanced, environmentally conscious marine solutions.
