In September, OSK Design co-exhibited with one of China’s biggest shipyards, GSI, at Denmark Day in the Chinese million city of Guangzhou. The aim was to present Danish ship design and innovation to the Chinese and to cement the strong business relations between the two countries.
As a part of China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017, Denmark Day took place 26 September in the Chinese million city of Guangzhou. The aim of the event was to celebrate and strengthen the ties and the cooperation between Denmark and China with regard to education, research and innovation and to showcase Danish environmental solutions as well as culture and tourism.
As an example of the successful cooperation between Denmark and China, OSK Design was invited as co-exhibitor by the Chinese shipyard Guangzhou Shipyard International Company (GSI) – one of the biggest yards in China. The yard and the naval architects from OSK, known around the world for their innovative solutions and maritime know-how, have collaborated on numerous ship building projects.
“With more than 50 years in this business we have been involved in ship building and maritime projects all over the world. Increasingly in China, where we have established a very strong working relationship with GSI. We were very happy to be invited and to present our products and competences in this forum with focus on know-how and innovation alongside one of China’s biggest shipyards,” says CCO of OSK, Anders Ørgård.
Denmark Day took place on the historical island of Shamian in Guangzhou, where trade between China and Denmark flourished back in the days. Before arriving at Shamian Island, the vessels moored at an island just outside Guangzhou. This island was previously called ‘Danes Island’ and was a base for the Danish seamen, where vessels would winter and be hauled in for repairs. In connection with Denmark Day, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, amongst others, paid tribute to the many Danish seamen and traders, who are buried on the island’s cemetery. The commemoration of the Danish seafarers was also attended by Kristian Lind and Anders Ørgård from OSK Design.
Following the visit to Danes Island, an exhibition was arranged on Shamian Island for the most influential companies in the trade between Guangzhou and Denmark. The Crown Prince also paid a visit to GSI and OSK’s joint exhibition. Currently, the two companies are working together on the design and building of some of the world’s fastest RoPax-ferries, e.g. the LNG-fuelled ferries M/S Visborg and M/S Thjelvar, designed by OSK for Gotlandsbolaget.
With China highly focused on the building of RoPax-ferries, the cooperation between the yard and the Danish naval architects is likely to continue years to come on future ferry projects.
Image: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, amongst others, paid a visit to GSI’s and OSK’s joint exhibition. Copyright: Denmark Day.
