China - June 19, 2024

Storyline:
Chinese shipbuilders set sail into high-tech waters

(Voice_over)

It's full steam ahead for China's shipbuilding industry which is expediting its transition to intelligent manufacturing.

According to industry data, Chinese shipyards were responsible for 76 percent of all global shipbuilding orders in April, making it the global leader in the shipbuilding industry.

To keep up with the wave of demand, Chinese companies are fast-tracking "smart" upgrades to their manufacturing equipment.

This shipyard in northeast China's Dalian City is using robots to weld steel pipes, which have largely improved efficiency.

The head of the shipyard's manufacturing department said they plan to add several upgraded production lines for additional support.

(Sound_bite)

Wang Peng, Deputy head, manufacturing department, Dalian Cosco Khi Ship Engineering Co., Ltd.:

"Our company has already built 23 smart production lines, which, on average, have boosted efficiency by over 30 percent."

(Voice_over)

Meanwhile, the vessels themselves use advanced technology.

Sensors installed onboard this container ship, for example, are used to monitor stress levels in real time, which helps the crew make faster and better informed decisions.

(Sound_bite)

Li Changshuang, technical staff member, Dalian Cosco Khi Ship Engineering Co., Ltd.:

"This ship is equipped with a smart hull, followed by a smart data platform and relevant intelligent equipment. As for its intelligent level, it has progressed from initially gathering information to assisting the crew in decision-making."

(Voice_over)

According to the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry the volume of new orders at Chinese shipyards in Q1 amount to more than 24 million dead-weight tons, a 59 percent increase year on year.