I think Covid-19 does not change the strategic target of our company. We will continuously make the gas carrier, large containership and research-ship sectors more sustainable. We have the confidence to lead the gas carrier newbuilding sector, especially in VLGC and gas-fuelled green ships — and we will keep in mind shipping’s green transition of decarbonisation and digitalisation.
After a year like no other, TradeWinds asked 40 shipping industry stakeholders what they see for 2021 after a year beset by the coronavirus, and how the pandemic will shape shipping's future.
Our Jiangnan Institute of Technology (JIT) has a good number of experienced engineers, and it receives strong support from universities and institutes.
In 2020, JIT’s research and development team supported our marketing team with revolutionary technical proposals that aid Jiangnan to secure more orders of Panda-type VLGCs, helping our shipyard to maintain a strong footing in the VLGC segment.
The newly designed VLGC will be equipped with the latest LPG-fuelled engines from MAN Energy Solutions, which lower emissions and allow more gas-loading volume.
Jiangnan has also managed to secure orders for two 99,000-cbm VLECs. The ships will feature Jiangnan’s “BrilliancE” type-B containment systems.
We are also looking to apply ammonia as a marine fuel for our future ships.
In the coming year, like most shipyards, Jiangnan will face challenges — such as the instability and uncertainty of the global economy post-Covid-19, rising labour costs, uncertain counter measures to greenhouse gas targets for 2035 and more serious competition for absorbing extra green costs. However, looking back at history, the shipbuilding industry has always been able to forge ahead despite risks, disasters and headwinds, and environmental challenges in shipping and shipbuilding.
From 2021, China will begin a new journey to transform into a modern socialist country. It will mark a new stage for the country’s development. Answering the changing circumstances and new requirements, we have set out to foster a new development paradigm with domestic demand as the mainstay, reinforced by international demand. That will give Jiangnan good sustainability in this business sector.
With the help of digitalising technology, Jiangnan will reinforce infrastructure in moving towards “Smart Shipbuilding”. Digital mock-ups will be more widely used — not only for three-dimensional design, drawing-free construction, familiarisation for crew, but also for product life-cycle management, production planning and erection simulation.
Finally, we believe shipowners will have the tendency to go for green ships running on gas as a fuel. Jiangnan will try its best to maintain its innovation passion for gas-fuelled VLGCs and VLECs, as well as large containerships.
