China has officially delivered the Erhang Changqing, the world’s largest self-developed pile-driving vessel, in January 2025, in Jiangsu province. This delivery marks a significant milestone for China’s shipbuilding industry.

Measuring 130.5 meters in length and 40.8 meters in width, with a draught of 8.4 meters, the Erhang Changqing is equipped with a towering 150-meter pile frame and a 385-tonne main hydraulic cylinder nearly 2 meters in diameter and 28 meters long, capable of generating a thrust of 5,000 tonnes.

A pile-driving vessel comprises three main components: the hull, derrick, and oil cylinder. The hull acts as the platform, the derrick provides structural support, and the oil cylinder serves as the vessel's "heart," powering the movements of the pile frame. Notably, Erhang Changqing's oil cylinder is the heaviest and tallest in the world, standing as high as a 10-story building.

Additionally, the vessel is equipped with an advanced positioning system that ensures exceptional precision, allowing it to place piles within just a few centimeters of their intended location on the seabed.