Chinese Yard Moves Mountains to Build Ships

Asked what was previously on the site of the new Jiangmen Yinxing Shipbuilding yard, a company representative replies, “Mountains, we moved mountains to build ships.” With funds reportedly earned from ship breaking, Jiangmen Yinxing's parent firm has built two shipyards, one for building vessels 10,000 to 80,000 tons and this yard, at Jiangmen on a branch of the Pearl River, for vessels under 10,000 tons. In addition to several huge sheds the yard has several covered and open building and launch ways. These include two each for 3,000-ton, 6,000-ton and 8,000-ton vessels. In early July the facility had 800 workers and more were being hired. While a number of the workers were involved in constructing the yard facilities, some had begun cutting steel for one of the new yard's first projects. This will be a 4,250 dwt bunkering craft for South African owner Unicorn Shipping International Ltd. Designed by naval architect Focal Marine & Offshore Corp. Ltd., the vessel will be just under 70-m overall with a beam of 17.6-m and a 7.2-m molded depth. The double-hulled ship will carry cargo in a total of eleven tanks. Main engine power will be a pair of electronically controlled Cummins QSK19-M engines each delivering 660 hp (492 kW) at 1,800 rpm. The mains will turn Schottel SRP330 azimuthing drive units with 1.4-m propellers. A third azimuthing drive, this one a Schottel SRP200 will be located in the bow giving the vessel excellent control when maneuvering alongside other ships. Electrical needs for cargo pumps as well as the electro-hydraulic bow thruster will be met in part by a 370 kW generator powered by a Cummins KTA19 (D)M engine.