On July 30, 2026, an inland vessel equipped with Dürr‑customized marine fuel tanks was successfully launched, officially commencing comprehensive sea trials. This new vessel represents another milestone in the low‑carbon transformation of inland shipping, while also fully demonstrating the superior product quality of Dürr’s marine fuel tanks, its end‑to‑end support services, and its capability for efficient project execution and timely delivery—setting a high‑standard benchmark for the large‑scale deployment of clean‑energy vessels on China’s inland waterways.

Inland waterways experience fluctuating water levels and complex navigation conditions, subjecting ship‑borne tanks to prolonged exposure to turbulent currents, corrosive high‑humidity moisture, and diurnal temperature swings. Consequently, the equipment must meet far more stringent requirements than those for ordinary industrial storage tanks in terms of pressure resistance, sealing integrity, low‑temperature stability, and fatigue life. The Durr marine fuel tanks supplied for this project were developed and manufactured in strict accordance with both the China Classification Society (CCS) inland‑vessel regulations and the dual standards for special‑equipment fabrication. They are constructed from specialized marine‑grade steel that is resistant to low temperatures and highly corrosion‑proof. All welds undergo 100% radiographic nondestructive testing, followed by dual pressure‑and‑leakage tests under hydrostatic and pneumatic conditions. Every production step is subjected to multiple rounds of self‑inspection and third‑party re‑inspection, ensuring zero weld leakage and no structural vulnerabilities. The tank body incorporates a high‑vacuum multilayer insulation system that effectively minimizes fuel vaporization losses, meeting the demands of long‑distance voyages on inland vessels. It is also equipped with intelligent real‑time monitoring modules for pressure, temperature, and liquid level, along with comprehensive safety features such as multiple pressure‑relief mechanisms and emergency shut‑off devices. Throughout the voyage, the tank’s operating status can be dynamically tracked, establishing a robust hardware‑based safeguard for maritime safety and accommodating the diverse and challenging navigation conditions found on the Yangtze River and its tributaries. In response to the compact cabin spaces typical of inland vessels, Durr’s engineering team has implemented meticulous custom‑designed structural optimizations. Tank supports and pipeline connections are tailored to the vessel’s layout, balancing installation stability with efficient space utilization, thereby supporting retrofitting and new‑build needs across a wide range of tonnage classes—ranging from cargo ships to combined cargo‑passenger vessels.

Beyond delivering high‑quality products, a one‑stop, full‑cycle service has emerged as a key enabler for the successful implementation of this project. Dürr has established an end‑to‑end closed-loop service system that encompasses preliminary surveys, customized solutions, manufacturing, ship‑inspection support, onboard installation, and commissioning and ongoing operations. In the project’s early phase, technical experts board the vessel to conduct on‑site measurements of the tank dimensions and, in conjunction with the ship’s route, payload, and endurance requirements, develop a tailored tank design. During production, they maintain continuous coordination with the shipyard, promptly supporting revisions to drawings and adjustments to specifications. Once the tanks arrive at the shipyard, engineers provide on‑site assistance for hoisting and alignment, pipeline connections, and overall commissioning, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance between the tanks and the vessel’s propulsion system. Following the vessel’s launch, Dürr simultaneously activates a dedicated after‑sales service channel, establishes a network of maintenance response centers along inland waterways, and offers long‑term services such as routine inspections, rapid fault diagnosis, spare‑parts supply, and crew‑training. These measures address shipping companies’ concerns about sustained operational support, delivering an integrated solution that combines equipment delivery with lifelong warranty coverage.

Efficient and reliable delivery management ensures that the vessel is launched on schedule. In inland shipbuilding projects, each process is tightly linked; any delay in delivering a tank module will directly jeopardize the overall construction timeline. Leveraging its standardized, flexible production line, Dürr meticulously schedules every stage—cutting and material preparation, welding, insulation, pressure testing, and painting—while coordinating parallel operations across multiple teams to strictly adhere to the production timeline. Simultaneously, it manages the entire logistics chain, from protecting oversized components to land‑based transport and terminal handling, implementing robust measures to safeguard tanks against water ingress and impact. This ensures that the modules arrive at the shipyard intact and on time, seamlessly aligning with the vessel’s final assembly milestones. Faced with tight deadlines and frequent design revisions, the project team flexibly adjusts the production rhythm, delivering customized solutions without compromising schedule or quality, thereby honoring its commitment to on‑time delivery and helping the shipyard complete construction and launch as planned.

At present, China’s inland waterway shipping sector is accelerating its transition toward low-carbon, standardized, and safe operations. Demand for clean‑energy‑powered vessels, such as those fueled by LNG, continues to rise. As a core energy‑supply system, marine fuel tanks directly determine a vessel’s operational safety, cost efficiency, and range. During this sea trial, the vessel was equipped with Dürr marine tanks and underwent real‑world testing across multiple routes and operating conditions. Throughout the voyage, tank pressure remained stable, gas supply was smooth, and all performance metrics met the required standards, fully demonstrating the product’s suitability for long‑term inland operations.

Looking ahead, Dürr Equipment will continue to deepen its expertise in the inland‑waterway marine tank market, relentlessly advancing insulation, corrosion‑protection, and intelligent safety technologies while expanding its portfolio of marine fuel tanks across a wide range of capacities and specifications. The company will further optimize its customized services, delivery efficiency, and nationwide after‑sales network to support an increasing number of new‑build and retrofit projects for inland vessels. With reliable quality, hassle‑free service, and dependable delivery, Dürr aims to help domestic inland shipping reduce costs, boost efficiency, and pursue greener operations, thereby driving high‑quality growth in the water‑transport sector.