Over 500 workers of financially troubled Yangfan Shipbuilding protested in front of a government office on Saturday to seek help regarding unpaid salaries.
The latest protest follows a protest at the yard in May. According to a representative of the workers, the local government has contacted two major shareholders of the shipyard, Qingdao Huatong Group (22%) and Jianlong Group (78%), asking them to solve the issue as soon as possible.
State-backed Qingdao Huatong has proposed to Jianlong Group that the two companies jointly pay RMB150m ($22.5m) to solve the issue, however Jianlong Group has yet to respond.
When contacted by Splash, an official at Jianlong Group declined to comment on the issue.
Construction of commercial ships at the yard, including four 206,000dwt bulkers for Trafigur, has been suspended while military orders are still under construction. Yangfan is facing the risk of further cancellations. Italian owner D’Amico has already cancelled four 64,000dw bulk carriers ordered from the yard.
