"Zhanjiang Bay 1", the vessel built by Qinshi Jiamei Energy Technology (Nantong), based in the Tongzhou Bay Demonstration Zone, is at sea. [Photo/NantongDaily]

"Zhanjiang Bay 1", the world's first floating, dynamically positioned cage-type aquaculture vessel, completed its first large-scale harvest in the South China Sea in June of this year.

The vessel was constructed by Qinshi Jiamei Energy Technology (Nantong), a company based in the Tongzhou Bay Demonstration Zone, marking the latest testament to the rapid rise of the area's offshore engineering industrial cluster.

The cluster spans two major areas, each with its distinct strengths.

The first is the Yaosha-Gangchi area, which covers 12.67 square kilometers of planned land and has 4,400 meters of shoreline. This area focuses on green vessels and high-end offshore engineering equipment. Seven projects have been established there, with a total investment of 42 billion yuan ($6.22 billion) and an expected annual output of 50 billion yuan.

The second is the Sanjiasha area, which spans 7.8 sq m, has 9,400 m of shoreline and is capable of accommodating vessels of 20,000 to 50,000 tons. It has attracted 28 projects from central state-owned enterprises and listed companies, with a total investment of 48 billion yuan.

Together, the two areas have secured 35 projects with a combined investment exceeding 90 billion yuan.

With its robust offshore engineering industrial cluster valued at about 100 billion yuan, Tongzhou Bay is advancing toward its ambition of becoming a key driver of the marine economic growth of the Yangtze River Delta region.