On May 27, the premises of Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "CIMC SOE") were filled with guests and a festive atmosphere as the naming ceremony for two 40,000-cubic-meter LPG/ammonia carriers (Hull Nos.: S1085, S1086) was grandly held. Attendees included godmothers Shana Saverys for S1085 and Ann Raes-Poucet for S1086; Nicolas Saverys, Executive Chairman of Exmar Group, along with his wife Fatimé Saverys-Hodza; Vice President Jonathan Raes; Chief Technology Officer Frederik Van Nuffel; Wang Guzheng, Vice President of Lloyd's Register Greater China; Liu Xin, Deputy General Manager of Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development Co., Ltd.; Ronald Somers, CEO of Somtrans; Yves Pauwels, General Manager; Gao Wenbao, Vice President of CIMC ENRIC and General Manager of CIMC SOE; Wang Jianding, Executive Deputy General Manager of CIMC SOE; Shang Jinyan, Deputy General Manager; and Shen Lintao, Deputy General Manager of the Shipbuilding Business Division, among other leaders and guests.
Gao Wenbao, Vice President of CIMC ENRIC and General Manager of CIMC SOE, delivered the welcome address. On behalf of all employees, he extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to the guests. Mr. Gao stated that Exmar Group and CIMC SOE have always maintained deep mutual trust and close collaboration. The project team has embedded the principles of refinement, standardization, and rhythmic production throughout the entire process, achieving simultaneous improvements in production efficiency and construction quality. He also expressed thanks to the two godmothers and to Lloyd's Register for their professional review and inspection, which safeguarded the project's smooth progress.
Nicolas Saverys, Executive Chairman of Exmar Group, highly commended CIMC SOE's professional construction capabilities, efficient project management, and consistent quality control in his speech. He noted that since the first two vessels were delivered, they have performed excellently and maintained good condition, earning high recognition from the fleet management team and cooperative clients. This has laid a solid foundation for confidence in the smooth delivery of the subsequent vessels. Today's naming of the two new vessels marks yet another important milestone in their partnership.
The ceremony then featured an auspicious lion dance segment. Fatimé Saverys-Hodza, wife of Exmar Group Executive Chairman Nicolas Saverys, and her daughter Margaux Saverys, together with Mr. Gao and Ms. Shang, jointly performed the eye-dotting ritual for the lions, symbolizing wishes for the new vessels' safe and prosperous voyages. Amidst energetic drumbeats, the vibrant lion dance added festive blessings to the ceremony.
Amidst enthusiastic applause, the ceremony proceeded to its most solemn and sacred segment — the naming. The two godmothers officially named the vessels and offered their blessings. Shana Saverys named S1085 "MORIOND," and Ann Raes-Poucet named S1086 "MOTTARET," wishing both vessels fair winds, safe voyages, and all those aboard smooth sailing and success in all endeavors. The godmothers then cut the blessing ropes with golden scissors, and the crisp sound of champagne bottles against the hulls, accompanied by cannon salutes and a colorful smoke wall, marked the official naming and launch of the two vessels.
The successful naming of the two 40,000m³ LPG/ammonia carriers, S1085 and S1086, represents a significant achievement in the cooperation between CIMC SOE and Exmar Group, and a strong testament to the company's continued dedication to high-end clean energy transport equipment. Post-ceremony work on the two vessels is progressing steadily, with deliveries scheduled for mid-June and mid-September respectively, as planned.
Based on the banks of the Yangtze River and pursuing dreams on the blue ocean, CIMC SOE will continue to uphold its commitment to quality and strengthen technological innovation, continuously enhancing its high-end shipbuilding capabilities and global market competitiveness. With more green, efficient, and intelligent quality vessels, the company is dedicated to supporting the development of global clean energy transportation and writing new chapters in the high-quality development of China's offshore engineering and shipbuilding industry.
