The Unexpected Dimension of Autonomous Aquafarming

China Launches Autonomous Offshore Aqua Farm: A Game-Changer for Aquaculture?

A recent industry newsletter covered an exciting story: China has introduced an autonomous offshore aqua farm in the resource-rich Liusha Bay area in the South China Sea. While this step forward in aquaculture technology is significant, the innovation raises key questions: how will China’s new approach impact sustainability, operational efficiency, and the global aquaculture market? Is this a great discovery of new innovative BlueTech?

Traditional offshore fish farming, like Iceland’s salmon aquafarming by Arnarlax or Germany’s indoor shrimp farming by Neue Meere, relies heavily on human oversight. These methods demand intensive supervision to ensure animal welfare and minimise environmental impact. In contrast, autonomous offshore breeding facilities could revolutionise the industry by reducing manual intervention.

A Seafood Aircraft Carrier

The article in Baird Maritime piqued our curiosity and prompted us to do further research on Zhannnong 1, the official name of the facility to be positioned in the South China Sea, although publicly available Chinese sources were limited and repetitive.

The information, while sparse, is astonishing: the platform measures 90 metres long, 58 metres wide, and 12 metres high, with legs extending to a height of 47 metres. It features a breeding cage with a capacity equivalent to 25 standard swimming pools, or 62,000 cubic metres.

source: Nanfang Press Media Group (Nanfang Daily)

Technical Features

According to media reports, four key features stand out:

Reports suggest an investment of around USD 4.5 million for this platform, which has an expected lifespan of 25 years. Each platform is equipped with automatic feeders, net scrubbers, photovoltaic systems, and Internet-of-Things information systems. It also includes an independent lifting mechanism to protect the aquaculture from typhoons and extreme weather. Additionally, the platform supports space for staffing, aquafarm monitoring, goods delivery, and even recreational fishing.

source: Nanfang Press Media Group (Nanfang Daily)

The platform carries large-scale cages that can be deployed in various areas and water depths. It supports the breeding of high-value seafood like golden pomfret, cobia, and octopus – key species for sustainable aquaculture.

Its features prioritise safety, fishery standards, economic efficiency, and environmental protection. According to Chinese sources this innovation can ensure national food security while promoting the development of ecological civilization.

A Blessing or a Potemkin Facade

Zhannong No. 1 is probably a regional blessing and no Potemkin facade of ground-breaking innovations for food security. The innovative ‘autonomous feature‘ is not about removing direct facility control from the breeding platform. Instead, it automates the adjustment of rearing tanks, raising or lowering them as needed. This helps protect both the fish and the installation. Apparently, stationary large tanks for fish rearing are already common in the South China Sea, seen in other types of semi-submergible platform.

The Unexpected in a Nutshell

We were prepared to partner with MarFishEco, combining expertise to analyse the supply chain, animal welfare of Zhannong No. 1. And we were ready to evaluate the maritime spatial competition, sustainability management, and food security.

The initial excitement around autonomous aquafarms that Braid Maritime generated has quickly settled.

On a positive note, it has opened the door to the discovery of innovative BlueTech.

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A Word about BlueSecurity

BlueSecurity embodies security dimensions and impacts by combining societal, safety, environmental, justice and protection dimensions within a framework of governance and rule of law, serving a sustainable and equitable implementation for BlueInvest, BlueEconomy or BlueTech.

In contrast to traditional maritime security, which focuses on asset protection and freedom of navigation, BlueSecurity includes several security dimensions and impacts for a holistic approach to ensuring a safe and secure environment.

A Holistic Maritime Assessment Tool

BlueSecurity is a planning and assessment tool that aims to map a safer and more secure blue domain. It combines the impact of societal affairs, safety, environment, justice and protection within the framework of good governance and the rule of law for the best possible development of operational objectives and strategic plans.

What Makes BlueSecurity Different?

In BlueSecurity, the human actor is central to blue activities. Rather than prioritising individual stakeholder objectives, it focuses on integrating a holistic landscape to ensure a safe and secure environment. Stakeholders’ individual goals serve only as a foundation, while the nuanced design of these frameworks is guided by principles of good governance and respect for human rights.


Lotus Depiction

The BlueSecurity concept can be depicted like a lotus flower with the human community at its centre. Each petal represents a specific dimension that reflects the interlinked aspects and impact on design of the operational framework and strategic plan. This holistic approach goes beyond individual KPIs and business objectives. It explores the imperatives of external dimensions and their impact on a safe, secure and inclusive environment for all activities and ambitions in the blue domain.

1. SOCIETAL DIMENSION

The societal dimension addresses access to basic services, for example information networks, infrastructure, supply chains, and living conditions. For instance, as described in this short text, it assesses crisis response capabilities, administrative efficiency, literacy levels, social and religious structures, employment rates, and foreign investment. It also evaluates the acceptance level and the impact of business objectives on safety and security.

2. SAFETY

The Safety dimension encompasses technical, administrative, and social well-being on ships. Safety encompasses technical, administrative and social welfare on ships. BlueSecurity assesses how effectively the standards of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee for the protection of seafarers are integrated and what effects can be expected on predictive planning.

3. ENVIRONMENT

BlueSecurity considers how climate change and natural factors affect safe operations, rather than just focussing on the impact of businesses on the environment. This ranges from historical crisis management to current resilience. Blue Security examines response capabilities to natural disasters or environmental hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes or droughts.

4. JUSTICE

This dimension emphasises the integration of human rights, access to legal protection and the maintenance of public order at sea – a neglected affair, portrayed here. Consequentially, the Justice dimension reflects the growing importance of human rights awareness in accountability to corporate shareholders and public oversight committees, as was already the case with sustainability goals or ESG reporting.

5. PROTECTION AGAINST THREATS

This aspect assesses physical risks, compliance with the ISPS Code and the flag state’s obligations under UNCLOS regulations. It combines real-time intelligence with the readiness and availability of public law enforcement agencies to ensure that business activities and sea routes remain safe. Comprehensive intelligence service providers are HOZINT Horizon Intelligence from Belgium or Dryad Global from the United Kingdom.

6. GOVERNANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW

Good governance promotes transparency, accountability, confidence, and fairness while mitigating risks such as corruption or arbitrary decisions. One level of this dimension is a strong awareness of the security dimensions and impacts across the spectrum of governance actors, civil society and discussions with their representatives, such as International Chamber of Shipping, International Code of Conduct Association, International Law Association, UNESCO World Heritage Marine Programme or other academic institutions and think tanks.


Why BlueSecurity Matters

BlueSecurity helps sustain maritime activities by providing a comprehensive approach to safety, security and confidence.

This initiative is more than a collection of ideas – it’s a blueprint for a safer and more inclusive BlueFuture.

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