By Gao Xinru

Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd (XSI) has been upholding new era, new phenomena and new action,and taking a solid step in corporate transformation and upgrading over recent years as ship operation variety has been gradually increasing and number of orders taken has made a new breakthrough. XSI newbuilding orders at hand are arranged to 2020 and some orders can meet even longer production need. The operation achievements are mainly results from multiple measures taken by the corporate management.

Transform ation and Upg rad ing Boosts Production

A reporter from a domestic wellknown media went to XSI for an interview and saw a busy scene in the Company’s vast production area. 2400TUE container ship frame had taken shape in the broad dock, oil and chemical tanker and offshore wind power integrated operation mobile platforms queued up on two production lines, welding arc kept flickering, fire work strike sound, electric grinder noise, crane travel alarm, large flat plate car driving sound, etc. immersed the whole shipyard in a busy state. In fact, XSI production was always busy and orderly throughput 2017.

On January 16, 2017, the third ship of 2100PCTCs built in batch for Zhongfu (Shanghai) Shipping Co Ltd was successfully launched.

On Ap ril 28, the first ship of 5390DWT dual-phase stainless steel oil and chemical integrated tankers built in batch for Xiamen Jianfa Shipping Co Ltd was successfully launched.

On June 1, the first of offshore wind power integrated operation mobile p latforms built in batch for Zhongtie Fuchuan Offshore Engineering Co Ltd --Fu Chuan Three Gorges -- was officially signed for ship delivery.

On July 3, a contract for 2800-berth luxury passenger ro-ro ship exported for Europe came into effect.

On July 8, 5390DWT dual-phase stainless steel oil and chemical integrated tanker built for Guangxi Wuzhou Tongzhou Sh ipp ing Co Ltd was successfu lly launched.

On August 11, the th ird o f 2100PCTCs built in batch for Zhongfu(Shanghai) Shipping Co Ltd -- Shi Yang-- was successfully delivered. To that date, XSI had built and successfully built and delivered 27 PCTCs, hitting a new record of number and variety of PCTCs built by domestic shipyard.

On August 15, two new 5800DWT deck carriers being built in batch for LD PORTS & LOGISTICS PTE LTD held the commencement ceremony.

On August 19, XSI Fujian first offshore 350-feet jack-up platform was successfully undocked.

On September 12, the first of 48t floating cranes XSI built in batch for LD PORTS & LOGISTICS PTE LTD held the commencement ceremony.

On November 7, XSI’s 5390DWT dual-phase stain less steel oil and chemical tanker successfully underwent sea trials.

On November 10, XSI’s first 2400TEU container ship named “Ren Jian Tangshan” was officially delivered and made its maiden voyage to Tangshan port.

On November 16, XSI’s third container ship was successfully launched.

On November 22, 5390DWT stain less steel oil and chem ical integrated tanker built for Guangxi Wuzhou Tongzhou Shipping Co Ltd was successfully delivered.

Four Types o f PCTC

According to Yan Jianyao, head of XSI Quality Guarantee Department, the Company has been for years dedicated to improving ship R&D innovation capability, and taking the domestic leading position in PCTC building. Over recent years, XSI on its comprehensive strengthen took the lead in developing 4900PCTC in international shipbuilding market, continuously built and exported 18 ships of the same type, which ranked first in the international PCTC market and further laid absolute position of PCTC p rofessional manu factu rer.After opening up the new market, XSI immediately shifted to development of 8500PCTC, which won high approval in the international market in terms of popularity, building technology and load.On the wake of delivery of the first ship,new order contracts were signed again and again, a total of six ships were built and exported.

A fter successfu l delivery of 4900PCTC and 8500PCTC, the Company ushered in new orders of 2100PCTC.According to incomplete statistics, a total of 27 PCTCs in the three types were built and delivered, XSI established itself as global shipyard of the largest PCTC number, most complete variety and h ighest popu la rity, and its products were dubbed as “Xiamen Brand” in in ternational market.It is because XSI is con tinuously pursuing scientific and technological innovation and boosting p roduc t upgrad ing and by m e ticu lously bu ild ing and se tting up good brand that it maintains the leading position of global PCTC professional manufacturer.

Yan Jianyao revealed XSI had just undertaken another order of 7500PCTC dual-fuel PCTC, the RORO system adopts advanced electric system, ship power selects dual-fuel main engine,making it the global largest LNG dualfuel PCTC for loading vehicles including heavy-duty trucks and packaging dangerous cargoes. 7500PCTC dualfuel PCTC plans commencement at the beginning of 2018. XSI has realized the gratifying situation of four types of PCTC.

Aim ing at Luxury Cruise

XSI has docks, building slips,cranes, segmented transport flat truck,stockyard, deepwater outfitting wharf,construction team, mature building technology advantages, etc. Further, XSI has exported many well-decorated ships,experienced in decoration and finishing of 350-500-berth luxury living platforms,and this p rovides very favorab le conditions for building a luxury cruise.Moreover, from geographic position and regional advantages, XSI is on one side of Xiamen Haicang Bridge, Xiamen port is an international famous sea port and has set up Xiamen international cruise terminal, and Costa Cruise “Lucky”full of more than 3400 Chinese and international tourists made its maiden voyage from the Xiamen international cruise terminal on October 18, 2017.these are good basis for XSI undertaking a luxury cruise.

According to XSI Chairman Lin Qin, XSI signed a contract for building one 2800-berth luxu ry cruise type passenger ro/ro ship with a well-known Finnish cruise company, the ship can provide 2800 com fortably inhabited beds,and onboard facilities such as cabins,dining halls, theatre, Internet bar, library,shopping center, video hall, children’s club, entertainment room will be built according to current European luxury cruise standard.

On July 11, 2017, XSI held the 2800-berth luxury cruise type passenger ro/ro ship design mobilization meeting and initiated specific researches for design complexity, technical difficulties,b reak th rough item s and change management. Fou r work ing groups were set up in the Design Department:Technology Core Group, Specific Technology Work Group (with 10 subgroups), Project Group, and Drawing Approval Group, arrangement, work responsibility and requirements of all group personnel were identified to better carry out design for the 2800-berth luxury cruise type passenger ro/ro ship.The Company issued four requirements:First, take the initiative to act; second,with meticulous study, break through difficulties; third, pay attention to process and focus on result; fourth, good at summary, enhance communication. The 2800-berth luxury cruise type passenger ro/ro ship is slated for commencement in September 2018.

In fact, XSI was well prepared for undertaking luxury cruise. It initiated luxury cruise project study in 2013 and started pre-study for design, building and technology proposal. The 59,300t cruise concept design scheme was completed in 2014. through further market survey and study, the Company listed the 70,000t cruise as a key research goal in 2015.Through cooperation with domestic and overseas relevant professional design institutions, the 70,000t cruise scheme design was completed in 2017 and the project is well under way as scheduled.

To sum up, the 2800-berth luxury cruise type passenger ro/ro ship building will enable Fujian to pioneer construction of series cruises. An industry source said Fujian has many yacht and sailing boat design and building enterprises, most of their products are exported to developed countries such as Europe and the US.The yacht and sailing boat manufacturers have professional talents in decoration,finishing and accommodation furnishing,who have accumulated rich experience in practice, and these favorable conditions can all be used in cruise building, leading common development of the industrial chain.★