Using High-Strength Shipbuilding Steel Plates in Tankers and Bulk Carriers

In the global maritime industry, the demand for stronger, lighter, and more durable materials has led to the widespread adoption of high-strength shipbuilding steel plates. These steels, such as AH36, DH36, and EH36, are specifically engineered to provide exceptional performance in harsh marine environments. When it comes to the construction of tankers and bulk carriers, the use of high-strength steel is no longer an option—it is a necessity.

High-strength plates improve the vessel’s load capacity, enhance fuel efficiency, and extend service life, all while meeting the stringent safety and quality standards set by international classification societies such as ABS, DNV, BV, LR, and CCS. Leading suppliers like sakysteel provide shipbuilding steels that meet or exceed these standards, ensuring reliability and consistency in every application.

Why High-Strength Steel Matters in Modern Shipbuilding

Modern ships face extreme mechanical and environmental challenges—corrosion from seawater, dynamic stress from waves, and heavy loads from cargo. Traditional mild steels cannot always meet these demands. High-strength shipbuilding steels bridge this gap by combining superior mechanical strength with excellent toughness and weldability.

In the design of tankers and bulk carriers, where the hull must support thousands of tons of cargo, high-strength steels such as AH36, DH36, and EH36 provide critical advantages:

  1. Higher yield and tensile strength, allowing for thinner plates without compromising structural integrity.

  2. Reduced overall vessel weight, leading to improved fuel economy and cargo capacity.

  3. Enhanced resistance to fatigue and cracking, especially under repetitive stress and vibration.

  4. Long-term corrosion resistance, vital for ships operating in saline environments.

By incorporating these materials, shipbuilders can create more efficient and sustainable vessels that align with the modern shipping industry’s goals for energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Applications in Tanker Construction

Tankers transport a wide range of liquid cargo—crude oil, chemicals, LNG, and refined products. The structural integrity of these vessels directly influences safety, environmental protection, and operational reliability.

High-strength steel plates are primarily used in the following parts of tanker construction:

  • Hull and Shell Plating: The outer shell of a tanker must resist hydrostatic pressure and impacts. AH36 and DH36 plates offer high yield strength to handle these stresses.

  • Deck and Bottom Structure: These areas experience constant bending and torsional forces. EH36 steel is preferred for its superior toughness at low temperatures.

  • Bulkheads and Frames: Internal partitions that separate cargo tanks require materials that maintain dimensional stability and resist corrosion from various transported substances.

  • Double Hull Structures: To prevent leakage and improve safety, high-strength steel provides enhanced resistance to penetration and impact.

Using sakysteel high-strength shipbuilding plates ensures that each section of the tanker meets precise mechanical standards and welding quality, minimizing maintenance costs and maximizing operational uptime.

Applications in Bulk Carrier Construction

Bulk carriers handle dry cargoes such as coal, grain, and ore—materials that exert immense loads on the hull and internal structure. The combination of static and dynamic forces requires materials that can withstand high stress and abrasion.

Key areas where high-strength shipbuilding steel plates are applied include:

  • Side Shells and Bottom Plates: To handle lateral and bottom pressure from cargo loading and sea conditions.

  • Hatch Coamings and Decks: Designed to support heavy loads and resist fatigue during loading and unloading.

  • Longitudinal and Transverse Girders: Reinforcement components that distribute stress evenly throughout the vessel.

  • Cargo Holds and Tanks: Built with steel that resists corrosion and impact, ensuring longevity and safety.

By using advanced steel grades supplied by sakysteel, shipbuilders can construct bulk carriers that meet IMO safety regulations and provide long-term operational savings through lower maintenance and improved fuel efficiency.

Grades Commonly Used in Tankers and Bulk Carriers

Steel Grade Minimum Yield Strength (MPa) Typical Application Features
AH36 355 Decks, hulls, and side shells Excellent weldability, impact toughness
DH36 355 Midship and structural frames Enhanced strength, low-temperature performance
EH36 355 Keel and bottom plates Superior toughness, used in polar or cold waters
FH36 355 Offshore vessels, heavy-duty ships High impact resistance, deep-sea operation capability

These grades share similar mechanical properties but differ in their heat treatment and impact testing temperatures, making each suitable for specific environments and operational conditions.

Benefits of Using High-Strength Shipbuilding Plates

  1. Weight Reduction:
    Using high-strength plates allows shipbuilders to reduce plate thickness while maintaining structural safety. This directly translates to lighter vessels and increased payload capacity.

  2. Fuel Efficiency:
    Lighter ships consume less fuel, reducing operational costs and carbon emissions—a major advantage in meeting IMO 2020 and 2030 environmental standards.

  3. Enhanced Safety:
    The superior mechanical properties of high-strength steel minimize the risk of structural failure, even in extreme maritime conditions.

  4. Longevity and Durability:
    These steels exhibit excellent resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and impact, ensuring a longer service life for vessels and reduced lifecycle costs.

  5. Ease of Fabrication and Welding:
    Advanced production techniques ensure consistent mechanical performance and good weldability, reducing fabrication time and improving construction efficiency.

Quality Assurance and Standards

All high-strength shipbuilding steel plates used in tankers and bulk carriers must comply with international standards, such as:

  • ASTM A131 / ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels

  • Lloyd’s Register (LR)

  • Bureau Veritas (BV)

  • Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

  • China Classification Society (CCS)

Each plate undergoes rigorous testing, including ultrasonic inspection, impact testing, and chemical composition verification, to ensure compliance with marine classification requirements.

Manufacturers like sakysteel maintain full traceability from steelmaking to final delivery, offering mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1/3.2) and third-party inspection options to meet client and shipyard specifications.

Environmental and Operational Efficiency

The maritime industry is shifting toward sustainability, and high-strength steel plays an important role in this transition. By enabling lighter and more efficient ship designs, these materials help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.

For tankers and bulk carriers—both of which are energy-intensive vessels—the integration of high-strength steels contributes to achieving Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) targets. Moreover, the recyclability of steel aligns perfectly with circular economy principles.

Choosing the Right Supplier

Selecting the right supplier is crucial for ensuring material reliability and performance. A trusted manufacturer like sakysteel provides:

  • A wide range of certified grades including AH36, DH36, and EH36.

  • Custom thicknesses and dimensions for optimized ship design.

  • Advanced testing, certification, and quality assurance support.

  • Global logistics and fast delivery for shipyards worldwide.

With decades of expertise in producing marine-grade steels, sakysteel has earned the trust of shipbuilders and offshore fabricators across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Conclusion

High-strength shipbuilding steel plates are the foundation of modern maritime engineering. In the construction of tankers and bulk carriers, these materials deliver unmatched advantages—strength, safety, and sustainability.

As the shipping industry continues to evolve toward greener and more efficient operations, high-strength steels such as AH36, DH36, and EH36 will remain at the forefront of innovation. By partnering with reliable suppliers like sakysteel, shipbuilders can ensure that every vessel is not only compliant with international standards but also built to last through decades of demanding service.

Post time: Nov-12-2025