​Industrial plants in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, the industrial zone in Shanghai's Lin-gang New Area is buzzing. Many companies are seizing the final window before the holiday, working at full throttle to secure a strong start to the year.

At China State Shipbuilding Corporation Wartsila Engine (Shanghai) Co Ltd, engineers have been busy conducting final debugging on a dual-fuel generator that will soon power an LNG carrier.

"Orders are booked into 2028," said Yu Encheng, deputy general manager of the company. "We are operating at full capacity to ensure production."

Nearby, Wartsila Engine's sister firm Wartsila Qiyao Diesel Company Ltd (Shanghai) is also working hard to produce dual-fuel engines to meet customer demand for low-carbon ship engines.

In January alone, 15 new projects broke ground, completed construction, or came into operation in Lin-gang, totaling about 13.6 billion yuan ($1.96 billion) in investment.

Lin-gang's production boom stems from a highly efficient, collaborative, and open industrial ecosystem.

"When we first came to Lin-gang, key components had to be imported from Europe, which was time-consuming and costly," said Zhang Qiang, board chairman of Kalmar Industries (China) Co Ltd, a logistics equipment manufacturer. "Now, most of our needs can be met by suppliers in the Yangtze River Delta region."

"Our (Finnish) headquarters is considering increasing investment in China," Zhang added.

Italian company Pama first exported large computer numerical control machine tools to China in 1989. However, its real transformation began after setting up operations in Lin-gang.

The company's Lin-gang factory began operating in 2012. "We used to just sell equipment. Now, we are building up core competitiveness here," said Cao Yijun, sales director of Pama Shanghai.

Pama's equipment has been used to produce key components for China's West-to-East Gas Pipeline project.

"After more than a decade in Lin-gang, our revenues have multiplied," Cao said, citing the area's advancements in materials, control systems, and precision measurement.

Lin-gang now hosts more than 100 high-end equipment makers, with a complete manufacturing chain that spans from basic components to finished machinery taking shape.

Source: Jiefang Daily