What is Shipbuilding Steel Plate?
Shipbuilding steel plate (also known as marine steel plate) is a specific category of high-strength, low-alloy steel designed exclusively for constructing maritime vessels and ocean engineering structures. Unlike standard carbon steel, shipbuilding steel must exhibit exceptional low-temperature toughness, corrosion resistance, and superior weldability to withstand the harsh marine environment.
At YUXIN Steel Group , we supply high-quality shipbuilding steel plates certified by major classification societies, ensuring full compliance with ASTM A131, API, and ISO standards.
Key Grades: AH36, DH36, EH36, and ABS AH32
Selecting the correct grade of shipbuilding steel is critical for safety and cost-efficiency. Below are the most searched high-strength marine steel plates on the market.
ABS AH32 Steel Plate
A medium-strength steel balanced for general marine use. It is cost-effective and offers good impact resistance at -20°C, making it ideal for ship hulls, bulkheads, and decks of medium-sized vessels .
Yield Strength: ≥ 315 MPa
Best for: General cargo ships, bulk carriers.
ABS AH36 / DH36 / EH36 Steel Plate
This is the industry standard for modern shipbuilding. AH36 offers a higher yield strength (355 MPa) than AH32. DH36 and EH36 are required for critical structural areas and low-temperature operations .
Yield Strength: ≥ 355 MPa
Impact Test: AH36 (-20°C), DH36 (-40°C), EH36 (-40°C).
Best for: Container ships, tankers, and offshore rigs.
ASTM A131 Grade A / B / D
These are "normal strength" ship plates (Grade A being the most common). They are typically used for lighter vessel structures and repairs where high tensile steel is not mandatory .
| Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Impact Test Temp | Main Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS A | ≥ 235 | 400-520 | 0°C (Optional) | General structural parts |
| ABS AH32 | ≥ 315 | 440-570 | -20°C | Hull midship sections |
| ABS AH36 | ≥ 355 | 490-630 | -20°C | High-stress hull areas |
| ABS DH36 | ≥ 355 | 490-630 | -40°C | Ice-class vessels, keels |
| ABS EH36 | ≥ 355 | 490-630 | -40°C | Arctic regions, offshore |
Inquiry about technical parameters and inventory of DH36 steel plates
How to Choose the Right Shipbuilding Steel Plate Grade for Your Project?
Selecting the optimal grade of marine steel is a critical decision that directly impacts your vessel's safety, operational life, and project budget. The choice primarily depends on the vessel type, the specific structural application, and the operating environment.
This guide compares our most popular high-strength grades-ABS AH36, DH36, and EH36-to help you make an informed choice.
Vessel Type Recommendation
| Vessel Type | Recommended Grade(s) | Primary Reason |
|---|---|---|
| General Cargo Ships & Bulk Carriers | ABS AH36 | Cost-effective for standard ocean routes. Provides sufficient strength (355 MPa yield) and good low-temperature toughness at -20°C for typical sea conditions. |
| Container Ships | ABS AH36 / DH36 | High hull stress requires high-strength steel. DH36 is preferred for critical deck and hatch corner areas due to its better toughness. |
| Oil/Chemical Tankers | ABS AH36 / DH36 | High-strength steel allows for lighter, more efficient hull structures. DH36 is often specified for the highly stressed longitudinal members. |
| Ice-Class Vessels & Arctic Ships | ABS DH36 / EH36 | DH36 (tested at -40°C) is mandatory for vessels operating in icy waters. EH36 is used for the most critical structural parts in extreme polar conditions, offering superior brittle fracture resistance. |
| Offshore Platforms (FPSO, Jack-ups) | ABS DH36 / EH36 | These structures face severe environmental loads and low temperatures. High-toughness grades like DH36/EH36 are essential for the legs, bracing, and deck modules. |
Structural Application Guide
| Structural Area | Function & Requirements | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Hull Shell Plating | The outer skin of the vessel, bearing direct wave and ice impact. Requires excellent weldability and corrosion resistance. | AH36 / DH36 |
| Keel & Bottom Plates | The ship's backbone, bearing the heaviest loads. Requires maximum strength and toughness, especially in grounding scenarios. | DH36 / EH36 |
| Strength Deck Plating | The main deck supporting cargo and deck equipment. High tensile steel is used to reduce thickness and weight. | AH36 / DH36 |
| Bulkheads & Stringers | Internal dividers and stiffeners providing transverse strength. | AH36 (generally sufficient) |
| Hatch Corners & High-Stress Zones | Areas with high stress concentration, prone to fatigue cracking. Require the best toughness. | DH36 / EH36 |
Your Complete Sourcing Process from China – A Step-by-Step Guide
Sourcing shipbuilding steel from China is a straightforward process when you work with an experienced partner like YUXIN Steel. We have streamlined the workflow for international shipyards and contractors to ensure transparency, quality, and on-time delivery.
Inquiry & Quotation
Your Action: Send us your material specifications, including Grade, Dimensions (Thickness x Width x Length), Quantity (in metric tons), desired Classification Society (e.g., ABS, LR, DNV), and Destination Port.
Our Response (Within 24 hours): We provide a detailed commercial quotation (FOB/CIF/CFR), including:
Competitive mill price per ton.
Estimated lead time.
Recommended delivery terms based on your project timeline.
Order Confirmation & Contract
Your Action: Review and sign the Proforma Invoice (PI) or Sales Contract.
Our Action: We initiate the production planning process. A deposit (typically 30%) is required to secure the production slot at the mill (e.g., HBIS, Wuyang, Baosteel).
Production & Mill Rolling
Our Action: The steel is melted, rolled, and cut to your specified dimensions.
Your Peace of Mind: We provide you with regular production updates, including photos and videos of the rolling process if requested.
Quality Assurance & Third-Party Inspection
Your Action: You can appoint a world-renowned third-party inspection agency (such as SGS, Bureau Veritas (BV), or Lloyd's Register (LR) ) to conduct the final inspection at our mill.
Our Action:
We arrange all access and documentation for the inspector.
The inspection typically covers: visual surface inspection, dimensional accuracy, and witnessing of mechanical property tests (tensile, impact).
We issue the official Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) , which are 100% traceable to the heat number.
Logistics & International Shipping
Our Action:
We handle all export customs clearance and port loading at major Chinese ports (e.g., Tianjin, Shanghai, Qingdao).
We arrange sea freight to your specified destination port (e.g., Houston, Rotterdam, Singapore, Dubai).
Support: We provide a full set of shipping documents, including the Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificate of Origin.
Final Delivery & After-Sales Support
Your Action: Receive the goods at your port, check the packing list, and conduct your own incoming quality control (IQC).
Our Commitment: We remain available for any technical or documentation support you need post-delivery. Our relationship is a long-term partnership.
Get the immediate quotation for ABS AH36 steel plates
Technical Specifications & Mechanical Properties
Our shipbuilding steel plates comply with the Common Structural Rules (CSR) for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers. We ensure full material traceability with Mill Test Certificates (MTCs)
Dimensions
Thickness: 5mm to 150mm (Custom rolling up to 300mm available)
Width: 1500mm to 4500mm
Length: 6000mm to 18000mm
Chemical Composition (Typical for AH36)
Carbon (C): ≤ 0.18% (Low carbon for improved weldability)
Manganese (Mn): 0.90 – 1.60%
Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.030%
Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.025%
Delivery Conditions
AR (As Rolled): For standard grades.
TMCP (Thermo-Mechanical Control Process): For high-strength, heavy plates to ensure excellent grain refinement .
N (Normalized): For improved low-temperature impact properties.
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Classification Societies: ABS, LR, DNV, CCS, and BV
To be used in official shipbuilding, steel plates must be approved by a Classification Society. Our products come with third-party inspection guarantees.
We supply shipbuilding steel plates certified by:
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
LR (Lloyd's Register)
DNV-GL (Det Norske Veritas)
CCS (China Classification Society)
BV (Bureau Veritas)
NK (ClassNK - Japan)
KR (Korean Register)
Applications: Hull Construction, Offshore Platforms, and Repairs
The demand for marine steel plate is driven by global shipping and offshore energy sectors. Our steel is used in
Ship Hulls
Shell plating, bottom plates, and keel plates.
01
Deck Structures
Strength deck plating and hatch boxes.
02
Ship Repairs
Matching specific OEM grades for vessel retrofitting.
03
Offshore Platforms
Jack-up rigs, drill ships, and FPSO topsides modules.
04
Coastal & Inland Vessels
Barges, dredgers, and ferries.
05
why choose us?
Our Advantages:
Stock Availability: Ready stock of AH36 marine steel plate and ABS DH36 in thicknesses 10mm-50mm.
Fast Delivery: Efficient logistics to major ports including Houston, Rotterdam, Singapore, and Dubai.
Grade Flexibility: From mild steel ASTM A131 Grade A to high-tensile ABS EH40.
one-stop solution
professional team
high quality
our Partners
We trusted by
Hendrik van der Meer
Senior Purchaser, Netherlands
Tan Wei Ming
Procurement Manager, Singapore
Carlos Mendez
Shipyard Director, Turkey
FAQ
01.What is the difference between ABS AH36 and ABS DH36 shipbuilding steel plate?
02.Do you offer cutting and pre-treatment services for ship hull steel plates?
Yes. We understand that shipyards prefer ready-to-weld materials. We provide value-added processing services for all shipbuilding steel plates, including:
Plasma & laser cutting to your exact dimensions (tolerances within ±2mm)
Drilling and edge preparation (beveling)
Blasting (Sa 2.5 standard) and shop primer application (zinc-rich epoxy, 15-25 microns)
These services reduce on-site labor and material waste. Please provide your cutting drawing (DXF or DWG) and required grade (e.g., ABS AH36, LR DH36) for a customized quotation.
03.What classification society certifications can you provide for your marine steel plates?
All our shipbuilding steel plates are supplied with third-party inspection and original Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) . We can provide certification from all major classification societies, including:
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
LR (Lloyd's Register)
DNV (Det Norske Veritas)
CCS (China Classification Society)
BV (Bureau Veritas)
NK (ClassNK)
KR (Korean Register)
If your project requires a specific society's stamp (e.g., ABS certified steel plate for a US-bound vessel), we can arrange for the mill to issue the certificate accordingly. Please specify your requirement when requesting a quote.
04.How is the price of shipbuilding steel plate calculated? Do you have stock of AH36?
The price of shipbuilding steel plate is typically calculated per metric ton (USD/ton) , based on:
Grade & specification (e.g., ABS AH36 vs. mild steel Grade A)
Dimensions (thickness, width, length) – thicker and wider plates require more mill rolling capacity
Certification requirements (ABS/LR/DNV certified plates may have a small premium)
Quantity (full container load or bulk vessel order)
Delivery terms (FOB China, CIF your port, or CFR)
Yes, we maintain ready stock of fast-moving grades like ABS AH36, ASTM A131 Grade A, and DH36 in thicknesses ranging from 8mm to 60mm. For stock items, lead time is 7-10 days after deposit. For custom-rolled plates (e.g., 80mm+ thick), lead time is approximately 25-35 days. Contact us with your target thickness, grade, and destination port for a same-day FOB or CIF price.
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