New fish farming vessel to boost China's offshore plans
China is making significant strides in its offshore aquaculture initiatives with the construction of the “Guoxin 2-1,” a cutting-edge 150,000-ton intelligent fishing vessel. Built in Qingdao, a prominent port city, this vessel is being developed by Guoxin China Shipbuilding Qingdao Marine Technology and is slated to become operational by 2025.
The “Guoxin 2-1” boasts impressive dimensions, stretching 245 meters in length and 45 meters in width, making it the largest vessel of its kind ever constructed. It features 15 massive tanks, each exceeding the size of two standard swimming pools. This vessel represents an enhanced iteration of the “Guoxin 1,” the world’s first large-scale aquaculture ship, which has been successfully operating since 2022.
The “Guoxin 1” has already demonstrated its viability as a proof of concept, having traveled 14,000 nautical miles across the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea. According to reports from Bastille Post Global, the vessel has yielded 2,700 tons of yellow croaker, a local fish species, by leveraging its ability to relocate to waters with optimal temperature conditions for aquaculture.
Building on this success, the “Guoxin 2-1” introduces an innovative fish fry delivery system.
“In addition to the traditional hoisting method, we have implemented a side-entry approach that allows fish fry to be directly transferred into the breeding tanks through newly designed hull openings,” explained Tian Neidong, project director at Guoxin China Shipbuilding Qingdao Marine Technology. “This advancement enhances efficiency and minimizes damage during the transfer process.”
The vessel is outfitted with a sophisticated integrated control system, featuring over 2,000 sensors that continuously monitor water temperature, quality, and oxygen levels. Data is relayed to both the ship’s onboard monitoring station and a land-based control center, enabling real-time remote adjustments and operational oversight.
Enhanced Production Capabilities
The “Guoxin 2-1” is reported to achieve fish densities four to six times greater than those in traditional cages, while reducing the aquaculture cycle by 30 percent. The company asserts that this vessel not only boosts fish survival and growth rates but also significantly improves overall production output.
These floating aquaculture facilities are a key component of China’s strategy to industrialize offshore fish farming. The country plans to construct 50 such vessels over the next five years. This innovative model has garnered international interest, particularly from European companies exploring tank-based salmon farming as an alternative to land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and conventional coastal methods.
The “Guoxin 2-1” is expected to be completed by late 2025, with additional vessels, including those tailored for cold-water species like Atlantic salmon, already in development.