Chishan Group acquires and revives Shandong yard
The private yard is based in the city of Rongcheng, in Shandong province (Source: Wikipedia)
Chinese seafood conglomerate Chishan Group has acquired Shandong Baibuting Shipbuilding, restructuring the dormant facility in Rongcheng, Shandong province, under the new name Shandong Fulton Shipbuilding. The move marks Chishan’s entry into shipbuilding and repair, and comes amid a wider revival of private-sector shipyards in China.
The acquisition covers 100% of the yard, which was originally established in 1953 as Rongcheng Haida Shipbuilding. Chishan plans to modernise the site to handle both newbuild and repair projects. Located on both banks of Lidao Bay, the yard has over 400,000m2 of land and 2,000m of natural coastline, offering scope for large drydocks and inclined slipways.
Historically, the facility built fishing vessels, bulk carriers and containerships. Under Baibuting Group’s ownership from 2007, output was targeted to exceed 1.2 million dwt annually by 2012, but the post-2008 shipping downturn forced a halt in new order intake after that year.
The deal follows a trend of renewed private yard activity in China, as large state-owned and major private shipyards operate at near full capacity amid a multi-year order boom. Industry sources report more than a dozen acquisitions or restarts of idle yards since 2023.
