Chinese company converts bulk carrier into 2,800-tonnes-per-year fish farm

A bulk carrier that has been converted into a 2,800-tonnes-per-year mobile fish farm for species including salmon has been officially delivered in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China.

Although China has recently built several fish farms ships from scratch, this is reported to be the country’s first vessel created by converting an existing ship.

The vessel, named Zhe Dai Yu Yang 60001, is a Panamax-type bulk carrier with a length of 225 metres. Panamax carriers are designed to be optimised for the maximum size limits of the Panama Canal, and usually have seven cargo holds.

Seven tanks

In the Zhe Dai Yu Yang, the cargo space is being used for seven tanks which in total hold 80,000 cubic metres of water, writes Zhongde Huang, who frequently makes LinkedIn posts about the progress of China’s fish farm ship sector.

The project is being financed and carried out by Senhai Mako (Zhejiang) Marine Science and Technology Co., reports Huang, who adds that the vessel will be on the high seas all year round.

“The vessel is equipped with holes on the side and bottom of the vessel to make the aquaculture water body open to the sea,” writes Huang.

“The vessel is equipped with modern facilities and equipment such as intelligent feeding system, water exchange system, monitoring system, catching equipment, and water quality monitoring device, thus realising intelligent and factory farming.”

He adds that the ship is equipped to receive early warnings about potential dangers including typhoons, red tides (algal blooms), and sea currents, giving it time to transfer to safe waters.

First of its kind

“The design of the vessel is the first of its kind in the world, with completely independent intellectual property rights, and has been awarded more than 20 patents at home and abroad,” writes Huang.

He adds that Zhe Dai Yu Yang 60001 is classified for legal operation in domestic and international waters.