China is building the world’s first ship dedicated to salmon farming, and it is set to be delivered in June, in a sign of the country’s latest efforts to reduce its reliance on imported seafood through offshore aquaculture.
The nearly 250-metre (820-foot) Su Hai No 1 vessel, built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou at a cost of 600 million yuan (US$83.6 million), is expected to produce up to 8,000 tonnes of salmon annually, according to the shipowner, Jiangsu Lianshen Marine Technology.
“This is a milestone for China’s high-quality development in modern marine fisheries, signalling that the country’s seafood market will significantly reduce its reliance on imported chilled salmon,” the company said.
Unlike traditional offshore net-pen systems, the vessel can quickly relocate to safer waters to avoid adverse conditions such as typhoons and harmful algal blooms. It also features an onboard processing facility capable of delivering fresh, processed salmon to some domestic markets as quickly as 24 hours.
Beijing has emphasised the importance of developing the ocean economy and strengthening the nation’s food supply by building a “marine breadbasket”, as the government prioritises food security amid global climate change, geopolitical shifts, and trade tensions with the West.
Ahead of next month’s delivery, the Su Hai No 1 is undergoing adjustments at the shipyard following a trial voyage in late April, the company said.
