China steams ahead with salmon self-sufficiency plan in Yellow Sea.
China’s Su Hai No 1, the world’s first purpose-built salmon-farming ship, is set to begin operations this autumn in the Yellow Sea, following its delivery in June, according to new reporting from the South China Morning Post.
The 250-metre ship, built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou at a cost of CNY 600 million ($83.6 million), is expected to produce up to 8,000 tonnes of salmon annually once stable operations are achieved, according to its owner, Jiangsu Lianshen Marine Technology.
“This is a milestone for China’s high-quality development in modern marine fisheries, signalling that the country’s seafood market will significantly reduce its reliance on imported chilled salmon,” the company said.
Unlike fixed net-pen systems, the vessel has the ability to quickly relocate in response to adverse marine conditions, including typhoons and harmful algal blooms. It also features a full onboard processing facility, enabling fresh, processed salmon to reach certain domestic markets in as little as 24 hours.
The ship is currently undergoing adjustments following a successful trial voyage in April, with delivery scheduled for June. It will be deployed in the Yellow Sea off Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, and its first harvest is expected in 2026.
Marine breadbasket
The project is part of China’s broader efforts to build a so-called “marine breadbasket” as part of its food security strategy, with the government citing risks from climate change, geopolitical tensions, and global trade disruptions.
According to an industry report published last year by the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance, over 80 percent of China’s salmon consumption is currently met through imports. In 2024, imports exceeded 100,000 tonnes, mainly from Norway and Chile. That figure is expected to rise above 200,000 tonnes by 2030, according to data presented in March at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum.
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources, released guidelines last year promoting the expansion of marine farming while emphasising environmental protection.
In the first quarter of 2025, national marine aquaculture output rose 5.7 percent year-on-year, while total marine aquatic production increased by 4.5 percent. “The role of marine aquaculture in ensuring stable production and supply continues to become more evident,” the ministry said.
The South China Morning Post, based in Hong Kong and owned by Alibaba Group, is one of the most prominent English-language publications covering China.