VESSEL REVIEW | Pusheng Haiyang Muchang 1 – Aquaculture tourism platform deployed in Chinese offshore waters

China's Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) recently delivered a new semi-submersible aquaculture and tourism platform for local operator Hainan Pusheng Marine Science and Technology Development Company. Named Pusheng Haiyang Muchang 1 ("Pusheng Ocean Ranch No 1"), the steel-hulled structure was designed in collaboration with the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in compliance to China Classification Society (CCS) rules.

The structure has a length of 86 metres, a beam of 30 metres, a draught of 10 metres, and soft mesh cages with a maximum capacity of 30,000 cubic metres. The onboard equipment includes an automatic bait feeding system and systems for monitoring fish health and water quality. CCS said the platform is designed to be capable of an annual output of 1.2 million kilograms of fish.

The entire structure is anchored to the seabed by four-point mooring system to improve resistance against strong wind and wave conditions.

Other onboard facilities include a sewage treatment plant, a desalination plant, air-conditioned guest cabins, and restaurants. Power for all onboard systems is supplied via solar panels.

The platform is presently deployed in Longqi Bay off Hainan province to augment the maritime tourism sector of the proposed free trade port on nearby Hainan Island. It will also perform the role of a feasibility demonstrator to confirm whether a single offshore platform can provide a venue for such diverse fields as fish farming, marine research, recreational fishing, and tourism.

The construction of the platform is in line with the aim of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture of establishing around 120 marine ranch demonstrators along the coast by 2025.

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