Qingdao Evergreen Maritime Co., Ltd. has achieved a significant milestone with its breakthrough technology, Ship Launching Using Airbag Method on Floating Docks or Transport Barges, officially approved by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and listed in the National Science and Technology Achievements Database.
[Reference link: https://www.tech110.net/portal.php?mod=view&aid=7989685]

This innovation was driven by a deep understanding of the challenges in traditional shipbuilding and launching methods, and a commitment to developing smarter, more flexible solutions. As the global shipbuilding industry evolves, conventional launch methods increasingly struggle with limitations such as high land and coastline requirements, high energy consumption, and limited adaptability. In response, Qingdao Evergreen’s R&D team developed a pioneering method where a newly built or transported vessel (the “daughter ship”) is launched from a floating dock or a transport barge (the “mother ship”) using inflatable rolling airbags. The launch typically occurs longitudinally, and remarkably, the mother ship can launch daughter ships of equivalent size and weight—up to a 1:1 ratio.

This technology makes offshore shipbuilding more viable by reducing dependence on expensive coastal infrastructure and land. It also significantly lowers transport and towing costs, as ships can be launched directly from the mother vessel, resulting in substantial economic and operational benefits.

Qingdao Evergreen’s airbag launching system has received two national invention patents and has been successfully applied in multiple projects across Indonesia and Guinea. More than 20 vessels, each exceeding 1,000 tons, have been launched using this method, earning widespread recognition and praise from project owners and the broader maritime industry.

As a leading company in marine airbags and fenders, Qingdao Evergreen Maritime continues to lead the way in maritime innovation. Looking ahead, the company remains committed to advancing core technologies and delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions to support the future of global shipbuilding.