A view of the new FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao on the evening of December 15 in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province. (Yu Ping/Xinhua Daily)

The new FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao, built by COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore, successfully set sail at 7:30 AM on December 16.

Constructed by a multinational team hailing from nearly 20 countries across five continents, the FPSO boasts the world’s largest tonnage and oil storage capacity, earning the title of “mobile offshore refinery.”

Australian manager Edna Tan (3rd right) and colleagues bid farewell to the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao.

Staff prepare for the sailing of the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao, December 15.

Photo taken on December 14 shows technical staff from South Africa and Brazil saying goodbye as the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao plans to sail.

The FPSO has a total length of 334 meters, a width of 60 meters, a depth of 33 meters, and a displacement of 460,000 tons, making it suitable for oil and gas development operations around the globe.

The project commenced in February 2022 and involved technical experts from Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, Singapore, Australia, and China, accumulating an impressive 27 million working hours during the design and construction of the new FPSO.

On December 13, Turkish technicians Oruc Furkan (right) and Ugur Ibrahim conduct an equipment inspection.

Brazilian engineer Juliana Casaccia Vaz (front) attends the FPSO naming ceremony on November 8.

On November 8, staff pose for a photo with the new FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao.

On November 8, Blanchard from France attends a gathering with his children, having been in China for over two years as the project manager.

On October 31, Juliana Casaccia Vaz and Chinese technician Wang Chengbin check equipment data together.

On October 23, international technical staff discuss the sea trial plan.

Brazilian crew member Frank shows off his “HOLD FAST” tattoo.

Scottish engineer Scott Gilles is fascinated by the Chinese dragon boat.

On December 13, a Filipino chef prepares a fusion of Western and Chinese lunch. His team will provide catering services for the FPSO’s voyage for the next three months.

Jiangsu has developed a robust industrial hub for ocean engineering equipment and high-tech vessels, leveraging its deep-water channels along the Yangtze River and the coast as well as the comprehensive supply chain within the Yangtze River Delta.

Notably, situated at the easternmost part of Jiangsu and facing Shanghai across the river, Qidong City has evolved into a globally renowned base for vessels and heavy equipment manufacturing after years of development.