On February 19, 2021, the first suction bucket jacket foundation for Changle Area C Offshore Wind Farm—jointly manufactured by Ziking and Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. ("Mawei Shipbuilding"), a subsidiary of Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group—departed Minjiang Estuary Inner Harbor, marking the commencement of Fujian's first offshore wind farm utilizing suction bucket foundation technology.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Changle, Fuzhou, Changle Area C Offshore Wind Farm ranks among Fujian's key initiatives for 2020, with total investment hitting RMB 11.19 billion. The wind farm will deploy 49 suction bucket jacket foundations, establishing itself as China's first large-scale 8MW commercial offshore wind farm and the nation's inaugural deep-water suction bucket jacket foundation project.

Comprising suction buckets, jackets, and upper transition sections, these foundations offer advantages over traditional pile-based systems: easier installation, reduced noise, reusability, simplified decommissioning, and minimal depth constraints. Measuring 40.45 meters in length, 36.37 meters in width, and 85.74 meters in height, with a weight of 1,936 tons, the transported foundation sets national records for both height and weight in suction bucket jacket foundations, and is the tallest oversized cargo ever handled by Fuzhou Port.

Aligning with its strategic focus on offshore wind energy, Ziking seized on Fujian's renewable energy push to partner with Mawei Shipbuilding, which is strategically located at the provincial estuary with robust heavy-industry infrastructure. Together, the two companies established the Fujian Mawei Offshore Wind Energy Steel Structure Manufacturing Base, which specializes in suction buckets, jackets, skirt piles, large-diameter monopiles, and pile-stabilizing platforms. The base now boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of large-diameter monopiles, 120 suction buckets, and 50,000 tons of jackets/skirt piles, ranking as Fujian's largest and most comprehensive offshore wind energy steel structure fabrication facility. The Changle project marked Ziking's debut in suction bucket production and domestic firsts in single-section rolling, horizontal assembly, and submerged arc welding. This flawless delivery showcased Ziking's maritime engineering excellence.

In the years ahead, Ziking will intensify its commitment to the offshore wind energy market through strengthened collaboration with Mawei Shipbuilding. Together, the two companies will synergize core competencies, enhance offshore infrastructure manufacturing capabilities, and expedite the development of offshore wind energy sector in China.