Chinese dream of becoming shipbuilding power

A Chinese shipbuilding industry expert emphasized that government should strengthen the control of shipbuilding capacity growth to prevent excessive yard facilities and achieve growth of Chinese shipbuilding industry. He also argued the measures already mentioned in Shipbuilding Industry Adjustment and Development Scheme are not enough and the industry should make further efforts to develop capability of building high-tech and higher value-added vessels.

Although the output of Chinese shipbuilding industry is now truly huge, it depends too much on bulker construction. So, bulker-reliant structure of Chinese shipbuilding industry should be changed through the enforcement of the development program, the expert said. Also he said China is now raising huge funds for the development of shipbuilding and marine equipment industries.

Many overseas marine equipment manufacturers are currently supplying ship components for Chinese shipbuilding industry and they are said to be taking a limited attitude regarding prices, delivery date, product sizes, etc. China's dependence upon imports for ship equipment is great and imported components occupy 70% of the total equipment market in China. It needs to accelerate marine equipment localization.
The offshore plant sector is also a big part of the development program. The expert emphasized financing capability, technical expertise and quality are pivotal factors in the sector.

As new orders are dwindling, Chinese shipbuilding industry needs to restructure and improve its core competitiveness. If Chinese shipbuilders succeed in turning current crisis into an opportunity for growth with the support of Shipbuilding Industry Adjustment and Development Scheme, their dream of becoming the world's No. 1 shipbuilding country could become reality, he said.

 

(Source: Motorship)