‘Little giant’ firm leaps from radar maker to green shipbuilder
2026-08-30 17:08:06
By Zhou Chunyi
Hubei Zhongnan Pengli Ocean Detection System Engineering Co. Ltd. has launched two electric sightseeing vessels on the Qing River, marking the Yichang firm’s entry into the green, intelligent shipbuilding sector.
Zhongnan Pengli is a national “Little Giant” company recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, a designation for specialized and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises with strong technological capabilities.
Zhongnan Pengli spent more than a decade developing high-frequency ground wave radar for over-the-horizon monitoring of sea conditions, ship tracking, and marine disaster warnings. The company has developed both software and hardware capabilities and has held the largest share of China’s domestic market for six consecutive years while ranking second globally.
Building on its radar expertise, the company has expanded into vessel manufacturing.
“While manufacturing and maintaining ship radar systems, we have accumulated extensive data on rivers and oceans, as well as a strong understanding of shipowners’ needs. This has become one of our key advantages,” said Tan Yaopei, assistant to the general manager of Zhongnan Pengli.
The company has applied its digital technology, systems integration capabilities, and marine data expertise to ship design and production, adopting a standardized, large-scale production approach.
“By producing a single model at scale, we have cut its price per unit by one third, production period by half, and maintenance cost by nearly 40 percent,” said Tan.
Its newly launched 25-meter electric sightseeing vessel is Hubei Province's first new-energy standard ship model.
Hubei Zhongnan Pengli Ocean Detection System Engineering Co. Ltd. has launched two electric sightseeing vessels on the Qing River, marking the Yichang firm’s entry into the green, intelligent shipbuilding sector.
Zhongnan Pengli is a national “Little Giant” company recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, a designation for specialized and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises with strong technological capabilities.
Zhongnan Pengli spent more than a decade developing high-frequency ground wave radar for over-the-horizon monitoring of sea conditions, ship tracking, and marine disaster warnings. The company has developed both software and hardware capabilities and has held the largest share of China’s domestic market for six consecutive years while ranking second globally.
Building on its radar expertise, the company has expanded into vessel manufacturing.
“While manufacturing and maintaining ship radar systems, we have accumulated extensive data on rivers and oceans, as well as a strong understanding of shipowners’ needs. This has become one of our key advantages,” said Tan Yaopei, assistant to the general manager of Zhongnan Pengli.
The company has applied its digital technology, systems integration capabilities, and marine data expertise to ship design and production, adopting a standardized, large-scale production approach.
“By producing a single model at scale, we have cut its price per unit by one third, production period by half, and maintenance cost by nearly 40 percent,” said Tan.
Its newly launched 25-meter electric sightseeing vessel is Hubei Province's first new-energy standard ship model.
A 25-meter standard electric sightseeing vessel developed by Zhongnan Pengli.Photo from Hubei Zhongnan Pengli.
Zhongnan Pengli holds more than 120 patents, over 40 percent of which are invention patents. The company has also participated in drafting multiple national and industry standards.
Looking ahead, the company plans to use its data intellectual property to contribute to global standards for marine data services and develop its Yidu base into a national demonstration site for the production of standardized new-energy inland vessels.
Zhang Lianghong, Li Qianxi and Wang Yingying also contribute to this story.
