The marine industry in Weihai, Shandong province has realized an output value of 123 billion Yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent.

“The marine industry will be one of the most competi¬tive and fastest-growing industries in this city during the 12th Five Year period (2011-2015),” said Sun Shutao, mayor of Weihai.

With an over 900 km of coastline, Weihai has rich marine resources and a raft of competitive industries. Located in the Shandong Peninsula marine economic zone, it leads the province in the areas of fish farming, seafood processing, ship manufacturing and new energy development.

In late 2009, Weihai launched the “general plan for blue economy zone develop¬ment” which outlined six marine industries, including seafood processing, port logis¬tics, coastal tourism and new energy as its areas of focus.

The city is home to more than 300 kinds of seafood, including shrimp, sea cucumber, abalone, shellfish and algae, which are cultivated in a 220,000 hectare stretch of water. With an average annual seafood output of 2 million tons, Weihai has one of the largest seafood processing bases in China. By 2012, the output value of its rare seafood is projected to rise to 12 billion yuan from the present value of 9.7 billion yuan, while its production areas are to increase to 33,333 hectares from the present 20,000 hectares.

Weihai currently has 936 seafood processing businesses, producing more than 400 varieties of high quality processed seafood and over 30 famous branded products, ranking it first in Shandong Province. Seafood processing has become a pillar industry in the area, with its output value accounting for 40 percent of the total value of the province’s fishery economy.

A total of three shipbuilding bases and 10 leading shipbuilding businesses have developed rapidly in recent years, producing an annual shipbuilding capacity of 4 million dead weight tons (DWTs). There are 90 ship builders producing over 40 kinds of ships from high-tech luxury cruise ships to ro-ro ships, which are exported to over 20 countries. By 2015, the shipbuilding capacity is estimated to reach 5 million DWTs, with sales reach¬ing 40 billion yuan.

The local government is committed to developing Weihai into an international logistics center and passenger hub. By 2012, the city’s ports are expected to have a handling capacity of 60 million tons and a throughput of 1 million containers. In five years, the annual passenger volume is projected to rise to 2 million, including 900,000 overseas passengers.

Weihai will also work to improve its coastal tourism resources. Its tourism income is expected increase year-on-year by 15 percent, accounting for 10 percent of gross regional product.

In terms of coastal new energy, projects in Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant are underway, with a total load capacity of 7 million kw and a total invest¬ment of 150 billion yuan. Additionally, a total of 11 wind power farms are already in operation, with a total installed capacity of 428,000 kw, which is expected to reach 800,000 kw by 2015.

By Wang Qian and Jv Chuanjiang (China Daily Shandong Bureau)