Taizhou shipyards embrace information-based intelligent shipbuilding

Leading Chinese shipyards, New Times Shipbuilding Co Ltd and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, both located in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, have secured the top two spots on the list of China's Top 10 Shipyards for Shipbuilding Completion Volume from January to May 2023.

Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group has already surpassed its annual order target by securing 69 new ship orders worth $5.6 billion in the first half of the year. As of now, the group's total orders currently stand at a historical high of 180 ships, reaching a value of $14.6 billion.

An aerial view of a shipyard in Taizhou. [Photo/tznews.cn]

According to a report from the Taizhou industry and information technology bureau, Taizhou has experienced a significant growth in shipbuilding from January to May. It completed 53 ships totaling 4.84 million deadweight tons (DWT). This represents a 68.5 percent year-on-year increase, accounting for 56.52 percent of the province's shipbuilding volume. It also equates to 29.39 percent of the national volume, and 14.13 percent of the global volume.

Additionally, Taizhou has received new orders for another 51 ships, totaling 4.01 million DWT, showing a 10 percent increase and accounting for 34.43 percent of the province's total.

Taizhou is currently building 275 ships totaling 24.03 million DWT, representing 46.15 percent of the provincial market, 20.35 percent of the national market, and 10.48 percent of the global market.

Recognizing the importance of the shipbuilding industry in a country's overall industrial strength,  Taizhou has been actively learning from first-class enterprises in developed countries, such as Japan and South Korea, to drive industrial transformation and upgrade. The city is focusing on information-based, digital, and intelligent shipbuilding. It aims to reduce the design and production circle, improve construction efficiency, and elevate the shipbuilding industry to new heights.

New Times Shipbuilding Co boasts the largest single intelligent plane segment production workshop in China, measuring 480 meters long and 52 meters wide. Through the integration of intelligent software, gantry cranes, flat section lines, and intelligent welding equipment, the company aims to significantly improve the efficiency of its plane section production.

A ship on its way to New Times Shipbuilding Co. [Photo/tznews.cn]

"In the past, the same unit area needed nearly 300 workers, but now it only needs 150 people," said Zhu Hangang, deputy director of the research institute of New Times Shipbuilding Co.

Zhu explained that the company plans to build a new "digital shipyard + intelligent ship offshore equipment" production model. It will accelerate the application of information software to further enhance ship construction efficiency.

With global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry, LNG (liquefied natural gas)-powered ships have gained significant attention in the international shipping market.

In recent years, Taizhou shipyards have embraced China's double carbon targets. They have since promoted innovation, and are actively engaging in the production and research and development of environmentally-friendly ships.