China set to build giant fish farming ships
CHINA is embarking on plans to build a powerful fleet of giant fish farming vessels. Construction on the first of these 100,000 gross tonnage vessels began just before Christmas at Qingdao in the eastern Shandong province.
It is the first of 50 such ships and should be delivered in little over 18 months.They will be able to deliver large volumes of farmed fish both inside and beyond China’s territorial waters.Together, their output could be worth up to US $2bn.
They will also be equipped with some of the most advanced aquaculture equipment including underwater cameras and automated feeding facilities and able to withstand rough weather.
The Qingdao Conson Development Group Company plans to invest in the construction of an aquaculture fleet consisting of 50 such ships with a gross tonnage of 100,000 tons each, which are expected to annually produce about 200,000 tons of seawater fish with an annual output value exceeding US$1.68bn.
The state-owned group primarily operates as an investment company, focusing on ocean development projects. But it is also involved in non-marine businesses such as hotels and property.
Almost 250 metres long, each vessel will be fitted with 15 tanks that can provide 80,000 cubic metres of aquaculture water which can be refreshed or exchanged without interruption, said
Dong Shaoguang, deputy general manager of the Conson group.
The company also believes the project will bring major environmental benefits in that the breeding cycle will be shortened, allowing the production of quality seafood such as yellow fish.
They are expected to operate in the South
China Sea, the East China Sea and theYellow
Sea where China has been increasing maritime activities, much to the concern of nearby countries such asVietnam, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea.
It is not just in aquaculture where China has been flexing its muscles. Part of its huge fishing fleet has been spreading its nets across the Pacific Ocean.
In the last couple of weeks the Chilean government has ordered its navy to track the activities of several trawlers operating close to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Neighbours Peru and Ecuador are also closely monitoring the situation.