By Zhao Yu
Ningbo Tay Aluminium Co., Ltd., based in Zhenhai's Luotuo Subdistrict, is working at full capacity on a large offshore aluminum alloy helicopter landing deck destined for export, as demand for its specialized marine equipment continues to grow.
At the company's production site, deputy general manager Shou Huan leads workers to assemble a structure more than 22 meters long and wide, about 5 meters high, and weighing over 50 tons. The aluminum alloy structure has an average thickness of just 3–4 millimeters but is engineered to support loads of up to 26 tons without deformation.
According to project manager Xu Jianchao, once completed, the unit will be dismantled into hundreds of parts, packed into ten 12-meter containers, and shipped via Ningbo Zhoushan Port to Singapore for installation on a custom-built offshore engineering vessel for a Dutch client.
Helicopter landing decks are key safety and logistics components on offshore engineering vessels, enabling personnel transfer, emergency evacuation and equipment delivery in open sea operations.
Tay Aluminium is currently the only company in Ningbo specializing in the R&D, manufacturing and after-sales services for offshore aluminum alloy helicopter decks. The company said it has developed lightweight, long-life designs tailored for harsh marine conditions and holds more than 20 core patents.
It has also obtained system certifications and welding approvals from international classification bodies including Norway's DNV and Germany's TüV Rheinland, supporting its overseas market expansion.
Shipyards in Singapore and major Chinese industrial hubs including Wuhan and Guangzhou have placed orders for offshore vessels and landing systems, according to the company.
"To meet current orders, we will produce at least eight offshore helicopter decks this year," said general manager Shi Tiefeng. "We already have confirmed orders extending from 2027 through 2029."
The company has also partnered with Ningbo University to develop a detachable, movable helicopter landing deck designed for emergency rescue applications involving large helicopters. The square prototype, measuring 20 by 20 meters, has completed its preliminary design phase.
Shi said Tay Aluminium will continue to build on its expertise in offshore aluminium structures while expanding into more diversified marine engineering products.