On March 5, 2026, a technical appraisal meeting for the project titled “Manufacturing Technology of 920mm Cylinder-Diameter Ultra-Large Low-Speed Marine Engine Crankshafts” was successfully held in Shanghai under the organization of the China Machinery Industry Federation (CMIF). The project was jointly completed by SDJU, Shanghai Electric SHMP Casting & Forging Co., Ltd. (SCF), Shanghai Marine Crankshaft Co., Ltd. (SMC), and Shanghai CSSC-MES Diesel Co., Ltd.
The appraisal meeting was chaired by Niu Fang, Director of CMIF Science and Technology Department. The appraisal committee consisted of seven experts, with Academician Tu Shandong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering serving as the chair. Representatives from the project partners, including Li Xiang, SCF General Manager, and Ma Zhihong, SMC General Manager, attended the meeting.
At the meeting, Professor Li Rongbin from SDJU School of Materials Science and Engineering delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the project partners. As a representative, he also presented the technical research report, introducing the project’s implementation and achievements. The expert panel carefully reviewed the project report, technical documentation, testing reports, application reports, and other relevant materials, and conducted detailed inquiries. After discussion, the experts unanimously concluded that the project had successfully developed multiple key core technologies, achieved the first domestic breakthrough in the full-process manufacturing technology for ultra-large marine crankshafts with cylinder diameters of 920mm and above, and established independently controllable intellectual property rights. The overall technical performance of the project has reached an internationally advanced level.
Ultra-large low-speed marine engine crankshafts are core components of diesel engines powering advanced large vessels such as LNG carriers and large container ships, and are known as the heart of marine diesel engines. The 920 mm cylinder-diameter single-section crankshaft developed in this project has a maximum weight of 208.3 tons and a total length of 20.19m, making it one of the world’s heaviest marine crankshafts. The project has enabled China to achieve independent control over key technologies in the marine power sector and broken the previous situation in which marine crankshafts for engines with cylinder diameters of 900mm and above relied solely on imports. As a landmark achievement during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period, the project represents an important step in China’s transition from a “major shipbuilder” to a “shipbuilding powerhouse” and plays a significant role in safeguarding national economic security. The completion of the project has also further advanced the strategy of aligning research with industrial needs and serving industrial development. It has stimulated regional innovation vitality and become a model practice demonstrating win-win cooperation among universities, enterprises, and local governments.
