China delivered a 115,000-ton oil tanker 160 days ahead of schedule from a shipyard in Qinhuangdao City, north China's Hebei Province, on Wednesday, underscoring the country's dominance in the global supertanker market and its rapid growth in new shipbuilding.
The newly delivered vessel is built by Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC), which is itself a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC). It measures approximately 249.8 meters in length and 44 meters in width, and can carry over 800,000 barrels of crude or refined oil in a single voyage.
The tanker boasts superior maneuverability, economic performance, and eco-friendly, energy-saving features, giving it a strong competitive edge in the market, according to its builder.
Leveraging our advantages in batch and series construction, we delivered this 115,000-ton oil tanker 164 days ahead of the deadline in contract. It offers high operational flexibility and excellent port and navigational adaptability, making it one of the most sought-after main vessel types in today's market," said Yan Guangjun, production director at Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.
According to the latest data released by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), in the first quarter alone, Chinese shipbuilders received new orders for 67 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), totaling 20.649 million deadweight tons, 92 percent of the world's total, with some construction slots now filled through 2030.
China delivers oil tanker ahead of schedule as shipyards lead in global orders
Heads of coast guard agencies from 19 Asian countries gathered Tuesday in east China city of Quanzhou to exchange views on a wide range of topics spanning tackling maritime crimes and enhancing search and rescue cooperation.
The four-day meeting, hosted by China Coast Guard (CCG), has brought together more than 50 delegates from other 18 countries and regions, as well as two international organizations.
At the meeting, the delegates will discuss critical topics including combating unlawful activities at sea, maritime search and rescue operations, and marine environmental protection. Law enforcement information sharing and capacity building are also on the agenda.
The meeting features two key highlights, according to Senior Colonel Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesman. "First, the venue has been set in Quanzhou, a historic city known as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. We will organize the delegates to visit the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, to enable them to gain an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of the Maritime Silk Road and the development of maritime civilization. We have also arranged for the experience and display of traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage skills such as the Nanyin (a performing art that combines singing and instrumental music) and Zanhuawei (a type of colorful and distinctive floral headdress for women), to showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning," Liu said.
"Second, We have added three new topics this year: marine carbon sink law enforcement, security of sea lanes, and maritime counter-terrorism. This allows us to present China's latest maritime law enforcement concepts, while encouraging member agencies to focus on addressing non-traditional maritime security challenges," he said.
Asian coast guard agencies gather in China for annual meeting
