Seatrade Maritime is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Live from Marintec China

Offshore marine business is still new to China: Sinopacific

Offshore marine business is still new to China: Sinopacific
The offshore marine industry is still considered a relatively new business for China, according to Simon Liang, chairman and ceo of Sinopacific Shipbuilding, despite the recognition that the country is already the world's factory in producing offshore support vessels (OSVs).

“The offshore business is a new area for China, and China needs to adopt an international mindset to grow this area of business,” Liang told industry players gathered at the company's cocktail reception in Shanghai on Wednesday.

“Relying on hardwork alone is not enough. What China needs is to have an open mindset to work in an international way with international people,” he believed.

Chinese shipyards currently account for an estimated 50% of the world's total number of newly-built OSVs, with a majority of them working in domestic waters.

However, it is widely understood that the quality and specifications of Chinese-built OSVs have yet reached world-class standards and continue to fall behind European-built offshore vessels.

Privately-run Sinopacific is perhaps China's most successful builder of offshore vessels, having established a strong branding in the overseas market. The company is also the world's number one producer of the main OSV types – anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels and platform supply vessels (PSVs). The shipyard is also capable of delivering complex OSVs like IMR (inspection, maintenance and repair) vessels.

In line with Liang's strategic direction for the company, Sinopacific constantly seeks to collaborate with leading ship designers to further refine and develop better quality dry bulk carriers and OSVs, keeping in mind the recognition of intellectual property rights.