China's shipbuilding sector has reported a string of major breakthroughs in recent days, fueling momentum as high-end vessel deliveries accelerate its shift toward a world-class industrial cluster.
A 319,000-ton ammonia-ready ultra-large crude carrier (ULCC) has been delivered to a Belgian shipowner. China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)'s Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (BSIC) developed the vessel, which is expected to enable near-zero carbon emissions across its full voyage in the future.
Meanwhile, a 180,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, independently designed and built in China, has been completed in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, meeting delivery standards.
Built by China Merchants Industry (CMI) Haimen Base, the vessel adopts a dual-fuel low-speed propulsion system, with a low evaporation rate and strong environmental performance, marking a major breakthrough for China's shipbuilders in the construction of large clean-energy vessels. In addition, China has delivered the world's largest pile-driving vessel in Nantong, providing key equipment support for large cross-sea bridges and offshore engineering projects.
The self-developed vessel measures about 130 meters in length and 40 meters in width, and is equipped with a 156-meter derrick capable of installing piles up to seven meters in diameter and weighing 700 tonnes, with centimeter-level positioning accuracy, making it the most powerful pile-driving vessel of its kind.
This steady rollout of high-end equipment in China is accelerating the formation of a world-class industrial cluster, an industry observer commented.
China's shipbuilding gains pace with more high-end vessel deliveries
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to protest against the government saying that it used the sense of emergency over the past six weeks after the U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran to move forward with its own bitterly-contested internal agenda.
Some of the restrictions for the demonstration were lifted earlier in the week after a ceasefire was announced between the United States and Iran.
"This is a terrible government, for the last three years working against its citizens all the time. We are protesting against the judicial reform that the government is imposing, anti-democratic moves, not to recruiting the orthodox people to the military," said Benny, a protester.
The resumption of the long-running corruption trial involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the debate over a controversial draft law, the even more controversial judiciary overhaul, none of them has gone anywhere.
With no imminent danger of missiles from Iran, at least for the short term, demonstrators here feel it is time to raise their voices.
"Everything has been turned so politically that instead of the country binding together, we just separate more and more. Plus in the background, the Netanyahu government is passing all sorts of non-democratic laws that only make the situation work," said Nancy, another protester.
The war may have taken a pause when it comes to central Israel but restrictions still apply.
Gatherings are allowed for up to 1,000 people although the police were told not to disperse the crowd even if numbers are bigger.
"I am not looking here to fight with the police. I hope they are not looking to fight with us and I believe that it will be a peaceful event," said Benny.
Israelis protest against gov't in Tel Aviv
