DNV GL Signs Broad Strategic Cooperation with China State Shipbuilding

Photo courtesy DNV GL

International classification society DNV GL has entered into a new strategic partnership with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the world’s largest shipbuilding group, to develop new systems related to alternative fuels and environmentally friendly technologies, new vessel designs, digitalization, and cyber security in the shipping industry.

The strategic partnership will focus on developing future-proof solutions and competencies for shipping. Other areas of research and exchange are the design and building of large offshore floating structures, deep sea mining and agriculture, and ocean research activities.

Under the agreement, DNV GL will support CSSC in their project engineering, construction and installation process by offering classification, certification, verification, consultancy, software and joint development services to the shipbuilding group.

“This agreement further strengthens the excellent relationship between CSSC and DNV GL,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President & CEO of DNV GL. “We have worked together on a number of state-of-the-art projects already this year, and with the merger of CSSC and CSIC I am confident the strategic agreement now signed will create even more joint opportunities in our targeted markets.”

A framework agreement detailing the strategic cooperation was signed last week by the both parties at the Marintec China trade fair. It was one of several joint projects between DNV GL and CSSC group shipyards announced during the show. Others included the announcement of an Approval in Principal (AIP) to Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard for the design of a gas-fueled 25,000 TEU containership, which would be the largest ship of its type to date, and a JDP with Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding Company for a new energy-efficient 5,000 TEU Panamax container ship for the intra-Asia trades. 

AIPs were also presented to CSSC’s ship design consultancy SDARI for the design of a 93,000/135,000 cbm very large ethane carrier (VLEC), as well as to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. for a concept design of a box-type self-elevating offshore fish farming unit.

DNV GL’s artificial intelligence (AI) research center also signed a joint development project (JDP) with Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited (GSI), which looks to improve welding non-destructive testing (NDT) efficiency through the use of AI technology for the automatic detection and assessment of radiography testing (RT) digital images.

“CSSC and DNV GL have been long-standing friends,” said CSSC Chairman Mr. Lei Fanpei. “The new strategic agreement will further strengthen our cooperation and expand its scope. When the largest shipbuilding group in the world and the leading classification society are joining forces to promote smart manufacturing, new ship research and development, and clean energy utilization, then this is of benefit for the whole maritime industry.”

In October, China approved a proposed merger between CSSC and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), its two largest shipbuilding conglomerates. The combined company, to be named China Shipbuilding Group, will create the world’s largest shipbuilding group by far with more than $140 billion annual revenues.

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