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New Breakthrough in Supply Chain Security: State-owned Enterprise Leaders Join Forces with Aotuo Technology to Achieve Domestic Substitution of Maritime Control Systems
Release date:
2025-08-01
In the global wave of intelligent transformation in the shipping industry, China Ocean Shipping Group (COSCO) stands out as a super-large central enterprise directly managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council—critical to national economic stability and people's livelihoods—and as a world-leading shipping company with the largest combined fleet capacity. The reliability of the hydraulic control units for onboard valves in the ship's liquid cargo systems is directly tied to both energy transportation safety and operational efficiency. In 2024, COSCO initiated an upgrade project targeting the valve hydraulic systems on eight bulk carriers, marking the first large-scale adoption of AOTEC Technology’s NA400 series PLCs to replace the previously used Siemens SIMATIC S7-400 PLCs. This groundbreaking move signifies a major milestone for domestically produced high-end industrial controllers in critical maritime applications.
In the global wave of intelligent transformation in the shipping industry, China Ocean Shipping Group (COSCO) stands out as a super-large central enterprise directly managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council—critical to national economic stability and people's livelihoods—and as a world-leading shipping company with the largest combined transport capacity. The reliability of the hydraulic control units for onboard valves in the ship's liquid cargo systems is directly tied to both energy transportation safety and operational efficiency. In 2024, COSCO initiated an upgrade project involving eight bulk carriers, marking the first large-scale adoption of AOTEC Technology’s NA400 series PLCs to replace the original Siemens SIMATIC S7-400 PLCs. This groundbreaking move signifies a major milestone for domestically produced high-end industrial controllers in critical maritime applications.
Traditionally, the in-cabin valve hydraulic control system has long relied on imported control equipment, which not only poses risks to supply-chain security but also imposes certain limitations in terms of technical adaptability. After thorough research and rigorous testing, COSCO Shipping's technical team ultimately selected Aotec Technology's NA400 PLC as the core control unit for the next-generation bulk carrier cabin valve hydraulic control system. This decision was driven by the NA400 PLC's outstanding performance across several key technical metrics.
Aoto Technology's PLC has been certified by CCS, the leading maritime classification society, and has demonstrated exceptional performance stability in real-world applications. The challenging maritime environment—characterized by high salt spray and continuous vibrations—presents significant demands on control equipment. However, Aoto Technology’s NA400 series PLC successfully overcomes these environmental challenges thanks to its innovative packaging technology and robust design. System operation data reveals that the new control solution meets or even surpasses expected targets in areas such as valve position control accuracy, actuation response speed, and coordinated multi-valve control, with performance metrics outperforming the original system. Notably, the NA400 PLC excels in emergency situations, delivering rapid response capabilities that enable it to execute safety interlock actions within record time, thereby providing reliable protection for liquid cargo tank operations.
In the special environment of marine vessels, hydraulic transmission demonstrates unique advantages. Hydraulic cylinders can generate exceptionally strong linear thrust, effortlessly driving large-caliber valves. The enclosed oil circuit design ensures explosion-proof performance, meeting the stringent requirements for equipment in hazardous areas. Additionally, accumulators serve as an emergency power source, enabling critical valve shutdown even when the main pump fails. Aotuo Technology’s NA400 PLC acts as the "intelligent brain" of the valve hydraulic system, continuously acquiring real-time valve status data. After processing this information through pre-set programs, it sends precise control commands. The PLC also coordinates the sequential operation of multiple valves, preventing fluid surge impacts, and dynamically adjusts hydraulic system pressure to ensure smooth valve movements. Furthermore, its built-in fault diagnosis module quickly identifies abnormalities such as oil circuit leaks or stuck solenoid valves, triggering interlock protection mechanisms. At the same time, the NA400 PLC enables seamless real-time data exchange with the hydraulic station and actuators, significantly reducing ballast water adjustment time while extending the service life of hydraulic components.
The successful application of Aoto Technology's NA400 PLC in COSCO Shipping's project is a prime example of collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application. The successful implementation of this project carries multiple demonstrative significances. From an industrial perspective, it marks a significant breakthrough for domestically produced high-end PLCs in the critical systems of large-scale vessels, breaking the long-standing monopoly held by international brands in this field. From a technological standpoint, it proves that domestically developed control equipment is fully capable of replacing imported products, offering a replicable technical solution to accelerate equipment localization. Strategically, this initiative vividly underscores the importance of achieving self-reliance and controllability, profoundly impacting the security of China's shipping industry supply chain. As an industry leader, COSCO Shipping has actively supported the adoption of domestically produced equipment through concrete actions, setting a shining example for the entire sector. With the accumulation of more real-world shipboard application experiences, the technological maturity of domestically produced PLCs will continue to advance, laying an even stronger foundation for fully realizing the localization of ship control systems.
Looking ahead, the collaboration model between COSCO Shipping and Aoto Technology provides a valuable reference for the synergistic development of state-owned enterprises and high-tech companies. As China’s strategy to become a maritime power continues to deepen, we believe more domestically produced, cutting-edge equipment will venture into the deep blue waters, showcasing the strength of Chinese manufacturing on the global shipping stage. This technological breakthrough—initiated by the transformation of hydraulic systems—is now reshaping the role of China’s high-end equipment within the global shipping industry chain.
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