Seawork looks towards the Chinese marketplace

Seawork Asia is being held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC), starting on 4 Novemer and finishing on 6 November. Organisation is in the hands of Mercator’s joint venture in China, Seawork Asia Company Limited.

Andrew Webster, CEO of Mercator Media, said: “This is the first dedicated commercial marine exhibition to be held in mainland China and Shanghai is one of the region’s key destination cities. It presents an amazing opportunity for companies to create and research business in the heart of this fast growing, vibrant, East Asia marine market.”

Like Seawork International, Seawork Asia focuses on the marine construction and smaller commercial vessel markets, including:

• Workboat and floating plant design, build or repair and maintenance;
• Marine equipment and machinery for workboats;
• Marine civil engineering and construction, dredging and coastal development;
• Marine contracting, vessel services and port services;
• Marine renewables;
• Commercial diving and underwater services;
• Safety and training;
• Staffing, manpower and recruitment; and
• Finance, insurance and the law.

Shanghai is at the centre of the fast growing East Asian commercial marine business which has a vast coastline to develop and maintain. The demand for marine civil engineering, workboats and floating plant, together with the equipment and services that keep them in operation is forecast to grow at double figure rates for the next 20 years. The anticipated rapid increase in marine activity requires a range of support services such as coastguard, patrol, safety and navigation.

Seawork Asia will be the first commercial marine and workboat exhibition based in Shanghai, and is intended to offer an opportunity for organisations to build and maintain their market positions in China and the East Asian Region.

The event has attracted support from both the Chinese and UK governments, the Chinese governments having targeted the commercial marine and workboat sector as having particular potential. The burgeoning wind farm sector is also attracting considerable interest at Seawork Asia.

A report by one of the show’s official backers, the China Association of National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) entitled Economic Operation Analysis of Chinese Shipbuilding Industry 2013, suggests the industry experienced a 16% growth during 2013 in comparison to 2012. CANSI predicts the marine engineering equipment market, and in particular the market for floating equipment, will grow, thanks to construction and expansion of ports, as well as supply vessels for offshore oil and gas platforms, pilot vessels and dredgers. In addition, the exhibition has secured the support of the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (CSNAME).

A number of important domestic and international exhibitors have signed up to the inaugural Seawork Asia, expected to become a biennial event. Among these are engine company Volvo Penta, whose president Matteo Gasparetto said: “We think that Seawork Asia represents a unique opportunity for us to build and maintain our market positions in China and the East Asian Region. This first edition is yet another step on the way to a larger and even more successful Marine Commercial business in the People’s Republic of China.”

The Chinese division of fellow Scandinavia-based engine company Scania is another exhibitor which proved keen to sign up. Scania chose Seawork Asia as the prime exhibiting platform, citing the Shanghai location which is at the core of its target market. Shanghai Ocean Equipment Company, the local representative for MAN Engines, Kohler, Hamilton Jet and Steyr Motors, will also be present. XS Marine Power, which distributes products from Cummins Onan, Mercury and Tracker Marine is another local engine exhibitor. Wuxi Xisui Marine is a local marine engine sales, support and maintenance company that has signed up for Seawork Asia, while power transmission company Twin Disc is showing its products for a range of vessel types, from military to tugs.

Vessel builders will include Aurora, located in Dalian, which is said to be based on a European shipyard management model, bringing EU and UK quality standards. Shipbuilder and repairer Hangzhou Qianhang Shipbuilding will be showcasing its welding technology; the company says it has been awarded top class shipbuilding and design permits by the Hangzhou ship inspection department. Guandong Jianglong Shipbuilding is exhibiting its work and patrol boats which it builds to LR standards for various Chinese official departments. Focusing on small to medium sized vessels, Tianjin Amada Ship Technology Development will bring its consultancy service and latest designs. Changzhou FRP Boatbuilding will present its range of military and defence vessels.

ZAS (Zhejiang Association of Shipbuilding Industry) is using the show to promote its members, drawn from business and academic organisations from 13 cities in Zhejiang Province. Guangzhou Xingjian Marine Equipment is showing its range of passenger seating, marine furniture, aluminium doors and windows. Green Boat Shanghai acts as a representative for various overseas boatbuilders.

Overseas builders include the Norwegian maker of GRP workboats, Jemar Norpower, whose range is targeted at the seismic industry, harbours, anti-pollution, crew change and towing.

Seakeeper, which makes gyro stabilised motion control devices, is another confirmed exhibitor at the inaugural Seawork Asia. UK-based Cygnus Instruments will be exhibiting ultrasonic thickness gauges. Navico, which claims to be the world’s largest marine electronics company, will be showcasing its Lowrance, Simrad and B&G brands. Lopolight is promoting its LED navigation lights, while Tritex will focus on its generators and air conditioning systems. Japanese company Takashina Life Preservers will present its safety equipment, and H. Henriksen is showcasing launch and recovery systems, oil spill products, and boat lift systems.

Other exhibitors which have signed up for the first Seawork Asia include legal specialist Shanghai Great Law Firm, MKU, a manufacturer and supplier of ballistic protection solutions and electro-optic devices, component and product distributor Maricer.