China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) has gradually resumed business operations while supporting the construction of two new hospitals in Wuhan, the epicentre of a deadly coronavirus outbreak, according to the Chinese state conglomerate.
In a series of statements published on its website this week, the world’s largest shipbuilder said group firms are starting to bring production back online to ensure the on-time deliveries of shipbuilding and ship-repairing orders.
“We should work hard to minimise the impact from the epidemic…we need to try hard to resume our production,” chairman Lei Fanpei said. “Group firms whose conditions for resuming production are met should hurry up.”
“Some of our group firms manufacture goods that can help contain the virus outbreak. They should be expanding their production.”
CSSC has highlighted the achievements of group subsidiary Chengxi Shipyard, which managed to deliver six newbuilding ships and receive three vessels at its repair docks during the Lunar New Year holiday. A remote-working policy was adopted in its back office.
The proclamation has come as the Chinese government seeks to restart its economic engine following the holiday, a difficult task amid the escalating outbreak.
As of Wednesday, the coronavirus has infected nearly 45,000 people and killed more than 1,100 in China.
In early February, some clients of major CSSC subsidiaries, such as Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) and Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), were informed of indefinite delays due to uncertain work schedules.
Returning to work
In Shanghai, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding — another CSSC unit — was monitoring the health of 8,486 of its employees as of Monday.
“Of our employees who left Shanghai [for the holiday], 658 travelled to or via the Hubei province (where Wuhan is located),” Hudong-Zhonghua president Chen Jun told China Ship News.
“18 ships are under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua, and the epidemic is affecting our production plans. We are actively discussing with the shipowners over this.”
According to CSSC, almost 6,700 people resumed working at DSIC as of Monday. About 6,000 employees returned to work at Jiangnan Shipyard – also part of the CSSC Group – while another 6,522 were being monitored.
In South China, 5,074 people resumed working at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding on Monday, or 78% of the total. About 6,000 workers returned to GSI.
Political duties
As a state-owned conglomerate created by the merger with China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, CSSC has also trumpeted its support for the local community in Wuhan.
According to CSSC, a total of 48 employees of group subsidiaries Wuchan Shipbuilding Industry and Wuhan Marine Machinery Plant were building the pipelines for two Wuhan-based hospitals used to house coronavirus patients.
Its Wuhan-based 701 Research Institute have been working in shifts since 29 January “for some important tasks of China”, according to CSSC, which did not elaborate.
The public relations effort has come as China’s ruling Communist Party faces heavy criticism domestically for the handling of virus outbreak, an unusual scene in the one-party state’s political environment.
State-owned enterprises like CSSC generally have internal party groups to protect the Communist Party’s interests and provide guidance.
“Under the party leadership of CSSC…many party members are fighting the epidemic, and they will never back off when facing dangers. The bright red party flag will fly high at the frontline when we fight the virus,” CSSC said in one statement.
Another CSSC statement concluded: “CSSCers, yes we can! CSSCers, yes we do!”
