Innovative Vessel Launch In Guangdong Marks A New Era For Sea Farming Technology

The launch of Wan Qu Ling Ding, the first natural waterbody exchange aquaculture vessel, took place on Tuesday in Jiangmen, Guangdong province. This event marks a significant advancement in China's deep-sea aquaculture sector. Known as a "breeding aircraft carrier" and "deep-sea granary," the vessel is set to transform sea farming through technology and aims to establish Zhuhai, Guangdong, as a key marine hub.

Measuring 155.8 meters long and 44 meters wide, the vessel features 12 independent breeding compartments. It holds about 80,000 cubic meters of breeding water, equivalent to 32 standard swimming pools. Annually, it can produce between 3,000 and 5,000 metric tons of fish, matching the output of a land-based fishpond over 3.33 million square meters.

The vessel's construction was approved in November 2022 and is expected to be delivered by August. It will primarily operate near the Wanshan Islands in Zhuhai, close to the Pearl River's mouth. The focus will be on breeding high-value species like golden pomfret, yellowtail amberjack, and grouper to support local fishing and tourism integration.

This pioneering vessel employs a unique structure combining the bow and stern with a column-stabilized hull. It uses natural water exchange technology to enhance fish quality while reducing energy consumption. With a cruising range of up to 2,000 nautical miles, it can autonomously navigate away from natural disasters like typhoons and choose optimal breeding waters.

Huang Hongyu, Executive Director and General Manager of Jiangmen Hangtong Shipbuilding Co., stated that the electric propulsion system enables "maritime nomadism," which shortens breeding cycles and increases economic returns. "Our company will help accelerate the construction of modern marine ranches in Guangdong," he said.

Sustainability Features

The vessel includes a 20-kilowatt wind power generation system that meets static aquaculture electricity needs with clean energy, significantly cutting carbon emissions. Huang Chenguang, chief engineer of the project, highlighted this feature's role in reducing environmental impact.

Sensors and automatic feeding systems are installed across various compartments. If abnormal water temperatures or pollution are detected, compartments can be raised to reduce resistance. The vessel can quickly relocate to safer waters to ensure fish health and quality.

Economic Impact

Designed according to China Classification Society standards, this mobile aquaculture platform is China's first large-scale platform integrating intelligent aquaculture with energy conservation and eco-friendly fishing tourism. Through its integration of fisheries with marine tourism, it aims to foster a more diversified marine economy.

The Zhuhai government anticipates that this innovative approach will contribute significantly to building a 'new Guangdong' at sea by enhancing local marine industries' economic potential.

With inputs from WAM