COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in South China yard expansion

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry is set to significantly enhance its ship repair and offshore engineering capabilities with a substantial RMB3 billion ($421 million) investment in Yangjiang, Guangdong province. This ambitious project will introduce a massive 400,000-tonne dry dock, a 200,000-tonne dry dock, and an 80,000-tonne floating dock, along with seven berths. Once completed, the facility is projected to service and convert approximately 250 vessels and offshore units each year.

Strategic Developments and Future Plans

The initiative is spearheaded by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangjiang), a subsidiary established in April 2025 to drive the group’s expansion in South China. This new yard is strategically designed to cater to the burgeoning global market for ship repairs and conversions, particularly for larger vessels and offshore engineering assets. The company aims to meet the increasing demand in the industry as shipping sizes continue to grow.

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In addition to the Yangjiang project, COSCO has entered into an investment cooperation framework with the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone. This partnership aims to establish another significant repair and conversion base, featuring three docks and seven berths, further solidifying COSCO’s position in the maritime sector.

Often referred to as China’s “ship repair carrier,” COSCO is a prominent player in FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) conversions and operates nine mid- to large-sized shipyards. The group currently manages over 1,500 vessel repairs and conversions annually, alongside its capabilities in new builds and offshore engineering modules. With these strategic expansions, COSCO is poised to reinforce its leadership in the ship repair industry.