A recent joint party-building activity has offered party members and cadres in Hongkou District a deeper, more tangible understanding of the latest developments and technologies used in major projects within the North Bund area. The Party branch of the Hongkou District Diplomatic Relations Committee and the Party branch of Shanghai International Shipping Service Center Development Co., Ltd. collaborated to exchange experiences in party building and project development.
During the event, party members and cadres from the District Diplomatic Relations Committee toured the Shanghai Air China Service Center, visiting key sites such as the harbor pool, West Ship Lock, and the information control room. They received a detailed update on the overall progress of the Air China Service Center project. Project leader Wu Pengcheng highlighted the application of BIM and 3D technologies in the West Ship Lock subproject, showcasing key innovations and offering valuable insights, particularly beneficial to government officials.
Yacht “Portal” Construction Utilizing Advanced Technologies
As comprehensive development continues along both banks of the Huangpu River, the area’s function has gradually shifted from transportation, warehousing terminals, and industrial enterprises toward finance, trade, tourism, culture, and ecological living. The West Ship Lock of the Shanghai International Shipping Service Center serves as a crucial gateway, enabling yachts to enter and exit the Huangpu River and the inner harbor pool. This facility plays a vital role in promoting Shanghai’s yacht industry and supporting the area’s ongoing transformation.
According to reports, the West Ship Lock, completed last year, overcame numerous construction challenges by applying and optimizing BIM (Building Information Modeling) and 3D technologies, setting a new standard for their use in China’s inland water transportation engineering sector. Given the severe constraints on core land resources and environmental capacities in the central urban area, the project required an effective information technology system that could integrate all construction activities into a unified platform. This platform supports design, construction, operation, and maintenance throughout the entire project lifecycle.
BIM technology integrates diverse types of construction-related information into a comprehensive digital model. For the West Ship Lock project, feasibility, preliminary design, construction drawing, and completion models were developed in stages, with specific application points tailored to actual progress. During the design phase, BIM software from two foreign companies was used to build civil and mechanical models of the ship lock. After research, these models were integrated to leverage BIM’s full advantages, combining civil engineering and mechanical-electrical disciplines into a single, clear digital model.
Further applications of the BIM model include clearly illustrating the integration between the overall structure and the seven major components of the West Ship Lock—maintenance door, lock chamber, inner gate, outer gate, tool room, pump room, and foundation. The model also systematically and accurately represents the complex mechanical and electrical systems (hydraulic, automation, electrical, etc.), making it easier to visualize these specialties. Additionally, the BIM model can quickly generate detailed renderings of the ship lock, facilitating follow-up work for various participating units and construction teams. “The value of BIM in modern shipping engineering has been fully realized,” summarized Wu Pengcheng.
The project also embraced 3D printing technology to create physical models, actively exploring its role in design review and construction. Using photosensitive resin, the team produced a detachable 3D printed model of the ship lock at a 1:100 scale with 0.1mm precision. This model can be divided into 6 large blocks and 30 smaller parts, allowing for detailed examination from any angle. This approach significantly aids all project participants in understanding the ship lock’s internal structure. Notably, this 3D printed detachable model is the first of its kind in China’s hydraulic engineering industry that meets practical engineering requirements, earning widespread recognition and praise within the sector.
“Star Bund” Green Building Cluster Development
The Shanghai International Shipping Service Center project is a leader in promoting energy conservation and resource efficiency, especially in water circulation and exterior materials. It has received multiple prestigious green building certifications both domestically and internationally.
In October last year, the British Institute of Building Research (BRE) awarded a certificate to Shanghai International Shipping Service Center Development Co., Ltd., making Building 1 the world’s first super high-rise to achieve the UK’s highest green certification. Prior to this, the project had already earned the China Green Building Three Star Certification. Alongside LEED certification from the United States and BREEAM certification from the United Kingdom, it became the first construction project in China to simultaneously hold three top-tier international green building certifications.
What sets the Shanghai International Shipping Service Center apart in green building innovation? A prime example is the air conditioning system in the west block, which combines Huangpu River water source heat pump units with ice storage technology. River water is used in a heat exchanger to provide cooling water for the system, with cooled water recycled back to the refrigeration unit. Meanwhile, the ice storage system utilizes electricity during off-peak hours to produce cooling, effectively reducing the system’s total installed capacity. Together, these systems improve efficiency while reducing energy consumption compared to conventional units.
During the party-building activity, Zhang Lei, Director of the District Diplomatic Relations Committee, shared a vision for the development of the EOD (North Bund Green Business Office Core Area) in the North Bund. This core area, now known as “Star Bund,” features a green building cluster comprising three major projects: Shanghai Port International Passenger Transport Center, Shanghai International Shipping Service Center, and Xinggang International Center. The cluster includes 34 super Grade A green office buildings, covering headquarters offices, Binjiang Park, cultural landmarks, and upscale commercial districts. The total construction area exceeds 1.5 million square meters, with completion expected in 2017.
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