Posted on June 1, 2026
By Sam Chambers
Hong Kong’s Yiulian Dockyard has officially reopened following a major modernisation programme and workforce expansion, with management positioning the facility as one of the most operationally flexible repair yards in Asia thanks to a unique capability unavailable elsewhere in China.
The Tsing Yi-based yard, operated by China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry, is the only dockyard in China permitted to accept vessels alongside while still fully laden with cargo – a significant advantage for owners facing emergency repairs or unplanned dockings in southern China’s busy container gateway ports.
“To enter any other dockyard in China, you would be required to discharge your cargo first,” general manager Zhong Ying said. “In Hong Kong, you can come alongside laden. If you have an unexpected need to come alongside our dockyard, we can save you the discharging and loading costs.”
That capability is particularly relevant for ships operating through Hong Kong, Yantian, Shekou and Nansha, where unexpected repairs can otherwise trigger costly cargo handling delays.
The reopening comes alongside the introduction of a new digital twin pipe fabrication system developed with marine engineering specialist Irwin Limited. The model effectively links Yiulian directly to manufacturing facilities in nearby Shenzhen while bypassing the traditional space constraints long associated with Hong Kong shipyards.
Hong Kong’s high land costs have historically limited large-scale fabrication work at local yards, especially for specialised polyethylene-lined seawater piping systems. By using Irwin’s AutoMet FAB digital twin technology, Yiulian can now conduct onboard laser surveys in Hong Kong while manufacturing replacement pipe spools at a dedicated facility 30 km away in Shenzhen.
“What Yiulian Hong Kong has done is bring this capability to the yard’s doorstep,” Zhong said. “This is an example of how we are working with vessel owners to reduce off-hire time and streamline their dockings.”
The process captures highly detailed measurements of onboard piping systems, including flange alignment and bolt-hole rotation errors often found on older vessels. Fabricated replacement spools are then delivered back to the yard ready for direct installation without onboard hot work or re-cutting.
A recent project involving a 20-year-old panamax containership saw 38 PE-lined seawater spools installed with what the companies described as a 100% first-time fit rate.
Founded in 1964, Yiulian is Hong Kong’s largest ship repair facility and repairs more than 130 vessels annually across tanker, gas carrier, container, cruise and dry bulk sectors.
