5G to promote intelligent shipbuilding industry in Zhoushan

Relevant parties sign an agreement to promote the 5G-driven intelligent shipbuilding industry in Liuheng town, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on May 24. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province will see an intelligent transformation of its traditional shipbuilding industry driven by 5G technologies in the near future, according to a deal reached on May 24 in Liuheng town, Putuo district.

The deal, signed by the administrative committee of Liuheng town, China Telecom Zhoushan, Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Co and Harbin Yingjiang Technology Co, focuses on building an intelligent ship building and repair industrial park that integrates 5G technologies, the internet of things and cloud computing.

Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Co is a leading shipbuilding company located in Liuheng town, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

"First we will build a 5G base station to provide full coverage to plants," said Lyu Hui, deputy director of the administrative committee, adding that intelligent warehousing, digitalized shipbuilding, unmanned monitoring and other high-tech applications will all be gradually realized.

In recent years, Liuheng town has been vigorously developing the port-centered industry, particularly the shipbuilding industry led by the local Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Co. 

More than 800 foreign vessels were repaired in the town last year, accounting for over 40 percent of the city's total and 20 percent of the nation's total. The number is expected to surpass 1,500 within two to three years.

Not only are global shipping companies such as Maersk and CMA CGM conducting ship building and repair work in the town, but some of the world's top 500 companies have established repair centers in the town, such as ABB, a leading company in power and automation technologies. 

"With China Telecom's advantages in 5G and internet infrastructure, Cosco Shipping's technological foundation and innovation capacity, as well as Harbin Yingjiang's advanced ship sensor manufacturing, we are sure to realize the intelligent transformation of our shipbuilding industry," said Xu Weibo, director of the local administrative committee of Liuheng.

In addition to the shipbuilding industry, the four parties' cooperation will also involve the transformation of other local traditional industries such as the instrument and hardware industries, added Xu.