In southeast China's Fujian Province, the region's largest shipyard, Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding, has reported a dramatic increase in overseas orders and manufacturing capacity. Since 1866, this shipbuilding company has helped steer China's modernization and opening up. Nowadays, its manufacturing legend continues with the Belt and Road Initiative in place.
Mawei shipyard, formerly known as "Fujian shipping administration," was founded over 150 years ago. /VCG Photo
Recently, the Mawei yard has developed various new vessel types, including the world's first and only deep-sea mining vessel. The ship measures 227 meters in length, 75 meters in height and can work at a depth of over 2,000 meters. It also features advanced technologies, including deep sea mining robots, and a deep-sea lift system.
The company is also building a large variety of ships with different functions to meet diversified demand in emerging Belt and Road markets.
Mawei Shipbuilding's general manager Zeng Jinzhu said the domestic shipbuilding industry was once under threat, but the Belt and Road Initiative gave it new life. Countries along the Belt and Road see the company's determination and potential in shipbuilding and have established good trade relations with them.
“International recognition for our quality and time of delivery has brought us new sales opportunities and returning customers,” Zeng added.
The world's first deep-sea mining vessel made by Mawei Shipbuilding./ CGTN Photo)
In the past five years, orders from Belt and Road economies have soared to more than 50 ships, over half the yard's business. Increasing contacts have facilitated not just deals but also technological cooperation. The combination of both manufacturing and designing advantages gives birth to more high-tech, valuable products.
The company has world-leading manufacturing capacity and shipbuilding technologies, but is still learning from, and working with foreign teams, to produce supporting facilities, especially when it comes to high-end vessels, according to Wang Haozhao, vice manager of the company's R&D department. This also includes importing key design technologies and then testing or installing those facilities. He emphasized that it is international teamwork.
New technologies are introduced for ship manufacturing at Mawei's factory./ CGTN photo
Through this process, Mawei Shipbuilding has gradually improved their innovation ability, as well as the competitiveness and influence of their brand. With their manufacturing skills plus an independent R&D ability, some of their self-developed vessels are widely used in overseas offshore oilfields. Their growing reputation is also attracting more potential buyers and partners.
Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding's dry dock./ CGTN photo
The shipbuilding industry is the powerful engine of international sea trade and one of the pillars of the maritime silk road. Chinese shipyards captured one-third of the world's orders last year, yet the sector has suffered from over-capacity nationwide.
Mawei Shipbuilding would further expand the market steadily along the Belt and Road and highlight the development of advanced and exclusive vessel types, said its manager. The ambition of this regional shipbuilding firm is but a small reflection of a bigger blue print--that, boosting the transport and trade infrastructure, will fuel the future of Belt and Road Initiative.