Offshore marine business is still new to China: Sinopacific

“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.