Project Background
In late 2023, a prominent Vietnamese shipyard initiated a 180,000 DWT bulk carrier project for international shipping routes, valued at $80 million, to expand its fleet amid a 5.8% global shipbuilding CAGR to 2029. The client required ultra-thick steel plates for hull construction, facing challenges from supply shortages (30% of projects delayed, Clarksons Research 2025) and the need for DNV GL certification for Pacific Ocean voyages. The project demanded FH36 grade plates up to 150mm thick to withstand -40°C impacts and corrosive saltwater, with a 6-month timeline for hull assembly.
Initial suppliers struggled with thickness consistency, leading to 20% material rejects. SHH STEEL was chosen after a tender, supplying 3,000 tons of steel. The shipyard’s location in Hai Phong port required fast logistics, and our role included pre-shipment NDT to meet DNVGL-OS-B101. This project supports Vietnam’s 8% shipbuilding growth, contributing to the country’s $3 billion maritime sector (Vietnam Maritime Administration 2025).
Materials Provided
SHH STEEL supplied 3,000 tons of FH36 shipbuilding steel plates, normalized for toughness, with thicknesses from 50mm to 150mm and dimensions up to 3,500mm x 14,000mm. The FH36 met DNVGL-OS-B101 and ABS Rules, with tensile strength of 490-620 MPa, yield of 355 MPa, and Charpy impact of 34J at -40°C. Chemical composition was limited to 0.16% max carbon, 1.60% max manganese, 0.025% max phosphorus, and 0.025% max sulfur.
For weldability, low sulfur content minimized cracking risks. Ultrasonic testing per EN 10160 Class A confirmed no defects >0.5% thickness, and MTCs verified compliance with IACS UR S6. Supplementary 316L stainless steel strips (ASTM A240) for fittings added corrosion protection.
| Property | DNV FH36 Requirement | SHH STEEL Supplied Value | Test Method | Benefit for Client |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 355 min | 360-370 | EN 10002-1 | Enhanced hull integrity |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 490-620 | 510-600 | EN 10002-1 | Superior impact resistance |
| Elongation (%) | 22 min | 23-26 | EN 10002-1 | Better forming for curves |
| Impact Energy (J) @ -40°C | 34 min | 36-40 | EN 10045 | Cold climate reliability |
| Chemical Composition (C %) | 0.16 max | 0.12-0.15 | EN 10204 | Reduced weld cracking risk |
Packaging used VCI paper and steel dunnage per IMDG Code, preventing oxidation during 35-day transit. This supply ensured the carrier’s 25-year lifespan, with FH36’s 490-620 MPa tensile exceeding requirements.
Successful Delivery Result
The 3,000-ton shipment departed Shanghai on October 1, 2023, arriving at Hai Phong port on November 5, 2023, within the 35-day window, via a direct bulk carrier. Plates passed Vietnamese customs and DNV GL inspections with 100% compliance, with no holds. On-site, the client welded the 150mm FH36 plates into hull sections, with ultrasonic testing showing zero laminations.
The hull assembly was completed 10% faster, thanks to the plates’ consistent 360 MPa yield strength, allowing for efficient multi-pass welding per AWS D1.1. The carrier’s launch in December 2023 met all SOLAS requirements, and photos of the loaded vessel and hull fabrication highlighted the steel’s uniformity. Client metrics reported 98% material utilization, saving 12% on fabrication costs, and the project was handed over 2 weeks early.
This success led to a follow-on order for 1,500 tons for a second carrier, solidifying SHH STEEL’s role in Vietnam’s shipbuilding boom.
Client Feedback
“SHH STEEL’s FH36 plates arrived on time and met DNV GL standards perfectly, accelerating our hull build by 10%. Their quality is exceptional,” – Shipyard Director, Vietnamese Shipyard.
