Yichang promotes green, smart transformation of shipbuilding industry

By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio

With the Yangtze River coursing through 232 kilometers of Yichang, the city is an optimal location for the shipbuilding industry. Yichang is establishing four shipbuilding bases in Zhijiang, Yidu, Zigui, and Changyang to foster the development of smart, eco-friendly ships.

In the Shipbuilding Industrial Park in Zhijiang, one of Yichang's four shipbuilding bases, Xinhui Ship Repair has secured 28 orders worth approximately 1 billion yuan (US$139 million) in total output value.
 

"In the first quarter, two new energy passenger ships are under construction," said Chen Jinxiang, production manager of the company. 

The company has accelerated collaboration with research institutes to pioneer new technologies in new energy, composite materials, and anticorrosive coating. The aim of this is to establish a new energy yacht construction base.

In 2023, the nine shipbuilding companies in Yichang Shipbuilding Industrial Park completed 73 vessels, with 72 still under construction, marking an 11 percent increase. Nearly 30 percent of these vessels run on new energy.

In Yidu Green Intelligent Ship Industrial Park, another shipbuilding base in Yichang, more than 1,000 workers are busy with construction. The park is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of this year.

The park, situated in Yidu City, spans a planned area of 105.9 hectares. It aims to attract green and intelligent shipbuilding and supporting enterprises to settle in the area. The expected output value of ship assembly and supporting manufacturing is more than 10 billion yuan.

Dai Zhixin, project manager, highlighted the challenges of the project with half of the 70-meter-long slipway being submerged underwater. Innovative construction technologies were employed to mitigate environmental impact.

"Since construction commenced in October last year, all involved departments have worked diligently to meet the December 30 deadline," Dai emphasized. "In the future, painting and welding will be done in a closed environment, and welding fumes will be collected," said Li Yong, the person in charge of the Damen Yichang Shipyard project.

Damen Yichang Shipyard plans to integrate intelligent equipment and advanced assembly lines to automate the entire process from unloading to distribution.

This includes the introduction of intelligent welding robots and remote-controlled equipment such as cutting machines, traveling cranes, and sorting robots, aiming to enhance efficiency and quality.

In Zigui Huaxing Shipping at the Zigui shipbuilding base, the "Heyue" cruise ship prototype has begun to show itself. Workers are carrying out the internal decoration. Since the beginning of the year, the company has received six orders, including three new energy ships, that will be delivered within the year.

"Last year, we delivered six ships and repaired more than 160, with an output value of 160 million yuan," said Chen Yaozhou, assistant to the general manager of the company. The company mainly produces ships under 10,000 tons, and is currently expanding the market for more orders.

This year, the company plans to invest in a new 150-meter floating dock with a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons to expand repair and maintenance services for passing ships.

Meanwhile, at Zigui Green Intelligent Ship Industrial Park, an automatic robot battery production line for new energy ships is operational. Utilizing core technologies like the thermal runaway blocking system developed by the 712th Research Institute, the produced battery packs are efficient and secure, mitigating risk of fire or explosion during overcharging, short circuits, or external combustion.

"The 50-meter production line has 19 automated robots capable of handling 80 percent of the manufacturing processes. This automation enhances efficiency and also ensures precision and quality in production," said Zhou Linghui, director of the Electric Power Propulsion Division of the 712th Research Institute.

Since its full production launch on November 18 last year, the facility produces 400 kWh per day, projecting an annual output value of 200 million yuan.

Currently, Zigui Green Intelligent Ship Industrial Park houses a ship repair and manufacturing company, a new energy marine power pack production enterprise, and five operational wharfs. In the past year, the park generated an output value of approximately 500 million yuan.