CDSA-IMCA Joint Seminar on DP Market Held in Shanghai
On April 8, the "International Seminar on Ship Dynamic Positioning (DP)" was held in Shanghai, jointly hosted by the China Diving and Salvage Association (CDSA) and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), and organized by Shanghai Huayang Maritime Sci-tech Development Co., Ltd. Under the theme "Building Dreams in the Ocean, Embracing the Deep Blue—Safeguarding the Maritime Silk Road", the event attracted representatives from over 50 domestic and international authorities, enterprises, and academic experts. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including DP technology advancements, alignment with international regulations, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.
According to Song Jiahui, President of CDSA, the Dynamic Positioning (DP) system is a core technology enabling vessels to operate precisely in complex marine conditions, widely applied in diving and salvage, offshore energy development, and other fields. However, challenges such as foreign monopolies on key technologies and dependence on overseas training and certification have long been prevailing in China’s DP sector. ”Domestic shipowners had to send crews abroad at high costs for international certification, leading to a shortage of professionals and hindering industry growth.” he noted.
Song Jiahui emphasized a critical breakthroughs: In December 2023, the first batch of independently certified Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) certificates in China were officially issued, marking a leap in the domestic DP training system from "zero foundation" to international advanced standards. Currently, the CDSA-DP Training Center, operated by Shanghai Huayang Maritime Sci-tech, has trained 134 DPOs and 23 Dynamic Positioning Managers (DPMs) for over 40 organizations, including China National Offshore Oil Corporation and China Communications Construction Company. This lays a solid talent foundation for technological self-reliance and sustainable industry development.
The seminar focused on five core themes: the global DP market prospects, equipment safety, internationalization challenges for offshore enterprises, ESG development pathways, and professional talent development. During the event, experts from IMCA headquarters and the Asia-Pacific region shared insights on DP training systems and case studies of accident analyses. The China Classification Society provided detailed explanations on DP equipment inspection and certification standards, while the Shanghai Jingling Social Innovation Center offered strategic recommendations for the globalization of offshore enterprises under the ESG framework. In the roundtable discussion, Richard, Technical Director of IMCA headquarters, joined Professor Yu Menghong from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, and Ruan Cunning, Head of WTW Insurance Brokers China, among other experts, to explore key topics such as "Cultivating Globally Competitive DP Talent" and "Opportunities for Chinese Offshore Enterprises Going Global."
Addressing the trend of ESG standards becoming a “hard threshold” in international offshore project bidding, Bao Rensong, Executive Director of Shanghai Huayang Maritime Sci-Tech, stated that the seminar has helped Chinese companies improve their compliance systems and overcome technical barriers by establishing a platform to align Chinese and international technical regulations with ESG standards. He revealed that the company will continue to optimize its Dynamic Positioning (DP) training system and drive technological innovation to provide technical support for China's maritime power strategy.
Song Jiahui stated that the CDSA will deepen cooperation with international organizations such as the IMCA to align China's Dynamic Positioning (DP) technical standards with international benchmarks. Simultaneously, the association will strengthen ESG practices, guide the industry's green transition, and contribute Chinese solutions to the development of a maritime power and global ocean governance.