Construction completed on AI-equipped marine ranch for Chinese offshore waters

By Baird Maritime - November 2, 2021.

FISHING/AQUACULTURE WEEK

*Visitors at Genghai No 1 shortly after the facility began operating off Shandong province in 2020 (Photo: Qingdao Multinationals Summit official Facebook page)*

Construction has been completed on a new type of offshore platform used primarily for aquaculture operations in enclosed areas of the open sea off China.

Named Genghai No 1, the facility was built by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) for local company Shandong Ocean Harvest Group.

The platform is classified as a marine ranch complex for applications that include fish farming, fisheries enforcement, scientific research, and even recreation.

The ranch comes equipped with AI- and 5G-based systems for environmental monitoring and for preventing collisions at sea. For patrol and enforcement duties, the platform relies on underwater robots.

Genghai No 1 formally commenced operations off Yantai in Shandong province in July 2020. The facility itself was assembled in phases and was finally completed in October of this year.

For more news, features and vessel reviews as part of this month’s Fishing and Aquaculture Week, please click here.