FT.com: How China Rules The Waves (Shipbuilding Tech, Port Tech, Shipping & Maritime Network)

[TaiShang]

China wants to invigorate Djibouti via port projects
China Daily, March 7, 2017

China Merchants Group, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate with extensive port business, is hoping to replicate the success of Shenzhen's Shekou Industrial Zone in development of its Djibouti port projects.

Djibouti is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is of strategic significance as a main channel for international maritime cargo.

China Merchants Port Holdings Co, the group's port and logistics arm, invested in the Port of Djibouti in 2012 and completed the construction of a new port with a stronger handling capability.

Li Xiaopeng, president of CMG, said in an exclusive interview with China Daily: "Making full use of Djibouti's geographical advantages, we are in the process of making the country the 'Shekou of East Africa'－a hub for regional shipping, logistics and trade."

He said: "We will use our experience in Shekou and adjust the model to local conditions. We will put this model into practice in countries such as Djibouti."

The group wants to use model of Shekou, dubbed "Port-Park-City" or PPC as a template to build an industrial park and subsequently a city to supplement the initial development of a port.

The Port of Djibouti is in further expansion along the lines of the Shekou model. The group has invested in the development of a 48.2-square-kilometer free trade zone in Djibouti with $400 million investment in November 2016.

The free trade zone in Djibouti will be equipped with infrastructure development, including a trade and logistics park and an exports processing zone, as well as financial services.

Djibouti is also expecting urban development in the old port area after the operation of the new port commences later this year, and aims to build a new business district with commercial and tourism facilities.

The innovative model successfully transformed Shekou from a small fishing village to a metropolitan hub, and the concept will be applied to the future development of the company's port projects abroad, said Li.

With the majority of its port project in areas along the Belt and Road Initiative, the group owns a network of 46 ports in 18 countries and regions. CMG's investment in overseas ports has reach $2 billion, with major projects in Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Nigeria, Togo, Turkey and France.

As the return on investment for the Port of Djibouti has increased, the income of the local workforce involved in the project has been growing steadily at 8 percent, and the company is also investing $2 million in providing training opportunities for local staff in a three year time span, according to Li.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Latest data published by WSC on world's Top 50 busiest container ports for 2015. Out of Top 10, 7 in China with Shanghai as world's most busiest port.

http://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade/top-50-world-container-ports

 

[Shotgunner51]

Report: China’s CMG Eyes Stake in Brazilian Container Port
Posted on April 14, 2017

Image Courtesy: TCP


Chinese state-owned corporation China Merchants Group (CMG) is looking to spread its footprint in Brazil as the company is reportedly in negotiations to buy Advent International Corp’s 50 percent stake in TCP Terminal de Contêineres de Paranaguá SA, local media informed.

Namely, the conglomerate is preparing to acquire the stake in Brazil’s second-busiest container port, which was put up for sale in 2016.

The negotiations with the Chinese group intensified after the Dubai-based DP World decided to back out of the race for the terminal stake.

Local media cited undisclosed sources close to the matter as saying that the value of the share in question stands at some USD 1 billion.

The negotiations are allegedly in the advanced phases as the parties are set to resolve final details on the matter and could soon sign a binding agreement on the sale.

http://worldmaritimenews.com/archiv...s-cmg-eyes-stake-in-brazilian-container-port/

@Gibbs

 

[GS Zhou]

China's shipbuilding sector grows by 87.7% in Q1-2017

April 17, 2017: China's MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) today announced the Q1-2017 figures of China's shipbuilding industry. According to the MIIT data, during Q1-2017, the Chinese shipbuilding industry:
- Delivered 15.76 million dwt new ships in Q1-2017, yoy growth 87.7%
- Secured 5.54 million dwt new vessels contracts, yoy growth -25.4%
- Total orderbook on hand stands at 88.65 million dwt (by end of March), yoy growth -26.3%

During Q1 2017, within the global shipbuilidng sector
- New ships delivery: China owns 47.1% of the global market
- New ships building contracts won: China owns 54.0% of the global market
- Total orderbook on hand (by end of March): China owns 43.8% of the global market

2017年1－3月，全国造船完工量1576万载重吨，同比增长87.7%，其中海船为440万修正总吨；新承接船舶订单量554万载重吨，同比下降25.4%，其中海船为254万修正总吨。截至3月底，手持船舶订单量8865万载重吨，同比下降26.3%，其中海船为3019万修正总吨，出口船舶占总量的92.2%。1－3月，我国造船完工量、新接订单量、手持订单量以载重吨计分别占世界市场份额的47.1%、54.0%和43.8%。

http://www.miit.gov.cn/n1146290/n1146402/n1146440/c5589624/content.html

 

[Shotgunner51]

New ships delivery: China owns 47.1% of the global market

Good news. Breakthroughs in sub-sectors like VLCC, LNG carrier and several high-tech maritime equipment are encouraging, wish this trend persist so that China's global market share of shipbuilding will exceed 50%.

 

[cirr]

China's newest cruise ship will feature a Ferrari racetrack

By Hannah Blackiston

3 hours ago

Images: Norwegian Cruise Line

Built specifically for the Chinese market, Norwegian Joy is a 3850-passenger cruise ship with one spectacular difference: Thanks to a partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line and Scuderia Ferrari Watches, the cruise liner will have a two-level Ferrari-branded competitive racetrack on deck.

On it, guests will race each other in electric go-carts. Up to 10 guests will be able to race at the same time and there will be souvenir photos taken at the finish line.

Certain classes of guests on the ship will even get a number of free rides on the track as part of their benefits package.

This is the first time Ferrari Watches has partnered on a venture like this, with a store selling the watches will be adjacent to the track.

Norwegian Joy will be officially delivered on April 27, first to Germany before setting sail for China. There will be an inaugural port tour, featuring events at the ports of Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, as well as VIP partner cruises from Norwegian Joy's home-ports of Shanghai and Tianjin.

The christening ceremony will take place on June 27, featuring "King of Chinese Pop" Wang Leehom.

Other features on the ship include an observation deck with 180-degree views, connecting staterooms for extended families and a wide array of suites – some with virtual balconies. Alongside the racetrack, there will be an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides and interactive video walls.

http://elsewhere.nine.com.au/2017/0...-cruise-ship-will-feature-a-ferrari-racetrack

 

[cirr]

Want to go fishing? There’s a Drone for that!

APRIL 18, 2017 BY FRANK SCHROTH

PowerVision, the UAV and robotics firm headquartered in Beijing, China, is nothing if not different. Their PowerEgg drone released last year and targeted at the consumer market was remarkable for its design. It was a quadcopter, yes, but not like any quadcopter you had seen before. Now comes the the PowerRay, an underwater drone targeted at enthusiasts that are hoping to make their next fishing trip a successful one.

The company announced that the PowerRay is available for pre-order at their European launch event last week. They also held a product demo at San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay last Thursday. At this event, PowerVision also unveiled their collaboration with the optics company ZEISS for the creation of solutions that combine PowerVision Robot innovations with ZEISS expertise.

PowerVision characterizes the PowerRay as “the ultimate robot for everyone who wants to explore the underwater world, whether it be for professional or recreational purposes. The device can be used for photographing and filming underwater or to visualise the progress of a water sports athlete, as well as being the perfect companion on any successful fishing trip”.

The product will be available in three packages; PowerRay Explorer, PowerRay Angler and PowerRay Wizard with shipment of the product in Europe is expected to begin at the end of May.

The PowerRay Wizard package will include the special VR ONE glasses PowerVision Edition. They have been created in collaboration with leading optics company ZEISS and will become available in a bundle with the PowerRay robot. The strategic partnership between PowerVision and ZEISS aims to develop solutions that combine exciting PowerVision Robot innovations with ZEISS expertise.

Here is a quick run down of key features:

• The PowerRay robot can dive as deep as 30 meters underwater.
• The sonar system can detect fish up to 40 meters below the robot, making the total diving depth up to 70 meters with precision up to 10 centimeters.
• The internal Wi-Fi system allows transmission of images and data over distance up to 80 meters.
• Using the PowerRay Mobile App, users can view real-time transmitted photo or video captured by PowerRay’s integrated 4K UHD camera on any iOS or Android mobile devices, in addition to receiving fish-identifying images, underwater data and alerts. It also provides the real-time position of the PowerRay robot, select travel mode, speed, and light setting, and can operate the integrated 4K UHD camera functions for underwater photography and videography.
• PowerRay comes with an optional, remotely operated precision remote bait drop. Users can secure baits and operate the PowerRay robot to deliver the bait precisely to the desired location.
• For users who want an immersive First Person View experience, an option to control the robot through a wearable device, PowerRay also supports an optional PowerVision VR Goggle – allowing a thrilling underwater view through virtual reality technology.

“The underwater world is a fascinating place that now can be explored by everyone, whether it is for fishing purposes or because the user enjoys seeing the flora and fauna in detail below water level. PowerRay incorporates significant innovation that provides recreational fishing enthusiasts with valuable benefits, including a best-in-class camera, up to 4 hours operating time and the opportunity to personalise their PowerRay with several add-ons including the PowerSeeker and VR glasses. The collaboration with ZEISS is hugely valuable for the development of PowerVision’s add-on portfolio, it will broaden our offering for customers worldwide,” said Wally Zheng, CEO of PowerVision Technology Group.

Following is an outline of the respective products. You can pre-order the PowerRay here.

Lastly, here is a video promo courtesy of PowerVision.

http://dronelife.com/2017/04/18/want-to-go-fishing-theres-a-drone-for-that/

 

[beijingwalker]

China Launches 6G Homemade Deep-sea Semi-submersible Drilling Platform

 

[cirr]

China Launches 6G Homemade Deep-sea Semi-submersible Drilling Platform

Saturday 29 April 2017 05:09 CEST

China launched its sixth generation homemade deep-sea semi-submersible drilling platform Hai Yang Shi You(Offshore Oil)982 in Dalian City of northeast China's Liaoning Province on Friday.

The drilling platform, weighing 26,000 tons, left the shipyard at 08:00, when the water in the shipyard is leveled with the outside, under the pull of six barges. The entire course lasted for more than two hours until the drilling platform berthed at the deep-sea dock.

The platform is 104.5 meters long and 70.5 meters wide. Together with the buoyancy tanks at the bottom, the platform is as high as a 38-story building.

The deck can take a load of 5,000 tons. The maximum operating water depth is 1,500 meters and the maximum drilling depth is 9,144 meters. The drilling platform has a crew of 180.

The platform was built in line with the world highest standard and has applied many advanced technologies.

"It has the most advanced DP3 dynamic positioning system, with a tolerance of 0.1 meters in positioning accuracy. It has multiple positioning reference systems to maintain the stability of the platform under bad sea conditions," said Zhao Chunyan, manager of Hai Yang Shi You 982, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC Group.

The platform is equipped with the world's most advanced deep-water sub-sea blowout preventer, which can automatically close the mouth of a well in case of emergency to ensure safety both under the well and on the platform.

"We increased its dynamic positioning ability and power generating capacity by 20 percent compared with the vessels of the same type. On top of that, we adopted the closed-loop power management system to reduce the fuel consumption by 10 to 45 percent," said Li Jianbo, deputy manager of supervision team of Hai Yang Shi You 982, CNOOC Group.

The platform is expected to be put into operation by the end of this year.

https://eblnews.com/video/china-lau...-sea-semi-submersible-drilling-platform-90289

 

[Shotgunner51]

China Shipbuilding signs deal with bank to support expansion
Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
02 May 2017

The China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) has signed an agreement with the China Construction Bank (CCB) to support the shipyard’s efforts to restructure and expand.

China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) said on 27 April that the “co-operation framework agreement” would provide CSIC with a range of benefits.

These include optimising CSIC’s financing structure, reducing its financial costs, controlling its asset-liability ratio, accelerating mergers and acquisitions, supporting exports, controlling exchange rate fluctuations, and also helping the shipbuilder cope with financial risk.

The value of the financial agreement was not revealed but similar arrangements between state-owned defence corporations and banks usually reach the equivalent of at least several hundred million US dollars.

http://www.janes.com/article/69971/china-shipbuilding-signs-deal-with-bank-to-support-expansion

 

[Beast]

Rubber stamp agreement that basically is order from CPC. Even it's money losing, it will still be signed cos it's a strategic asset.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Rubber stamp agreement that basically is order from CPC. Even it's money losing, it will still be signed cos it's a strategic asset.

Slightly different from other SOE, being a defence corporation CSIC is largely covered by government expenditure (tax monies) anyway, and if CSIC still loose money in commercial operations then perhaps CCDI (http://www.ccdi.gov.cn/) and those like Huarong Asset Management will deal with it. Either way CCB stand to loose nothing, and either way CSIC must cater for massive PLAN buildup.

I think CSSC will also do new rounds of financing, they have to meet PLAN demand as well, say Type 002 CV, Type 055 DDG and subs.

 

[cirr]

China to begin building two new ships for 2019

China Daily, May 4, 2017

Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, conducted its fourth dive on April 30 around the Zhenbei Seamount in the South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will soon begin building its first marine resources survey ship and its first mother ship for manned submersibles, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

Hu Xuedong, deputy director of the administration's Deep Sea Department who oversees China's ocean exploration programs, said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday that the construction work on the two vessels will start before July.

The survey ship will be built at China State Shipbuilding Corp's Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The mother ship for manned submersibles will be made at China Shipbuilding Industry Corp's Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

"The two ships will have world-class technological and operational capacity. They will be able to travel at least 6,000 nautical miles on each journey," Hu said. "Their service will extensively improve our capabilities in ocean surveying, deep-sea science and marine environmental protection."

The ships, which have yet to be named, will be commissioned in the first half of 2019, he said.

Currently, China Marine Research Vessels operates 17 long-range oceanographic research ships and 15 coastal water survey ships.

According to the State Oceanic Administration, the marine resources survey ship will be 98 meters long and 17 meters wide, and will have a displacement of 4,000 metric tons. It will have an advanced electric propulsion system.

The vessel will carry more than 70 kinds of scientific research equipment and will be capable of conducting highly accurate long-term surveys in a wide range of fields such as marine geology, marine ecology and ocean-atmosphere systems.

The mother ship, which will serve China's manned submersible Jiaolong, will also have a displacement of around 4,000 tons. It will support Jiaolong's operations and handle and analyze samples taken by the submersible, according to the administration.

Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong is China's first manned deep-sea research submersible. It reached its deepest depth－7,062 meters－in the Mariana Trench in June 2012. Currently, the Jiaolong is based on the Xiangyanghong 09, a survey vessel that has been in service since 1978. The new vessel will be the first dedicated mother ship for the submersible.

Hu said the mother ship will also assist the nation's effort to build a manned deep-sea station that the government plans to put into operation around 2030.

Cui Yiliang, editor-in-chief of industry magazine Modern Ships, said the two ships will be sophisticated in terms of technology and structure, so their construction will be a challenge to shipbuilders.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2017-05/04/content_40744021.htm

 

[grey boy 2]

Some pictures of the China's sixth generation homemade deep-sea semi-submersible drilling platform Hai Yang Shi You(Offshore Oil)982

 

[Brainsucker]

noice, I just hope it's not a huge target if it starts drilling in Vietnamese waters.

A people demonstration on the street target? it will be attacked by Vietnamese's fishermen like before? I don't think that Vietnamese's torp or missiles will attack this vessel, unless they want to get China retaliation to their ships in SCS.