Since 2012, influenced by the policies supporting the development of offshore fishing successively introduced by the national and provincial governments, as well as cities like Qingdao and Yantai, the number of offshore fishing vessels built in Shandong Province has seen a rapid increase. As of the end of June 2013, there were 149 offshore fishing vessels under construction in Shandong Province, 4 vessels completed this month, and 14 vessels pending construction, totaling 167 vessels.
In terms of vessel types, there are 20 tuna longline fishing vessels, 27 Pacific saury fishing vessels, 31 large-scale professional squid fishing vessels, 60 high seas trawling vessels (including double-deck and single trawling vessels), 2 pelagic purse seine vessels for transoceanic fishing, 20 gillnet fishing vessels, and 7 vessels for other types of operations.
From the perspective of shipbuilding enterprises, Huanghai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has the most ships, with 66; Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has 44; Rongcheng Yuantong Shipyard has 32; and the remaining 5 shipbuilding enterprises have a total of 25 ships.
From the perspective of construction progress, 4 ships have been completed and launched this month; 28 ships are basically completed and in the commissioning phase; 53 ships have been assembled and are in the outfitting and equipment installation phase; 28 ships are still on the jig and in the block building phase; 40 ships are in the cutting and starting phase; and 14 ships are yet to be built.
From the perspective of distribution, there are 115 ocean-going fishing vessels under construction within the jurisdiction of Shidao Branch, 44 ocean-going fishing vessels under construction within the jurisdiction of Longkou Branch, 8 ocean-going fishing vessels under construction within the jurisdiction of Yantai Branch, and no ocean-going fishing vessels under construction within the jurisdiction of Huangdao Branch and Shouguang Branch.
This batch of newly-built ocean-going fishing vessels, with their large tonnage, strong endurance, advanced equipment, and high technological content, represents China's leading level in similar vessel types.
Due to the rapid development of offshore fishing vessels, all of which are of new high-horsepower models, the task of reviewing design drawings and conducting initial inspections is extremely heavy. Especially within the jurisdiction of the Shidao Branch, there are 115 offshore fishing vessels under construction (alongside 60 domestic fishing vessels), yet there are only 8 surveyors qualified for offshore fishing vessel inspections, making it difficult to handle such a concentrated volume of ship inspection work. To alleviate the workload of the Shidao Branch, the provincial bureau has deployed qualified surveyors from other branches to assist, ensuring the smooth implementation of the new offshore fishing vessel projects.
