Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by PALFINGER
PALFINGER MARINE’s presence in Asia-Pacific (APAC) stretches from the northern to the southern part of the continent – and beyond to Australia. Apart from a sprawling network of sales and service centers, we also operate two production facilities that cover our entire product portfolio. With the shipbuilding industry in Asia on an upward trajectory, PALFINGER MARINE is in an excellent position to tap into the region’s enormous potential across the board. Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan are but a few fascinating stops on the tour we invite you to join as part of a new series exploring our global presence.
The APAC region was long perceived as a complicated market for European companies. Everybody knew about the potential, but only very few knew how to harness it. PALFINGER MARINE is proud to be one of the companies that has managed to establish a highly successful presence with main offices in Shanghai and Singapore.
Our commitment to the APAC markets is not only reflected in various sales and service centers across the region, but also in the fact that we run two production sites covering our entire product portfolio. In Qingdao, China, we focus on high-end vessels for the cruise and offshore segments, while the plant in Hanoi, Vietnam, specializes in fast rescue boats, davits, and related products. As a provider of complete solutions for the maritime and offshore industry, we are proud to be a central player in the transformation of the sector in the Asia-Pacific.
High-end PALFINGER MARINE lifeboats built at our production site in Qingdao, China
Covering all bases in Asia-Pacific
The segments PALFINGER MARINE serves in the APAC region are as diverse as the markets it contains. Japan, for instance, is a major cruise arrival hub, meaning this particular country represents fertile ground for our cruise segment. It has also experienced significant growth in the offshore wind market of late.
China, on the other hand, is a market more focused on merchant and governmental vessels, but it also occasionally offers up some offshore oil & gas projects. Offshore contracts in the wind energy segment are most likely to come from Taiwan. An example for the latter is the supply of tailor-made lifting solutions for offshore wind farms in 2021.
 Service engineers taking part in a PALFINGER crane operator training in Taiwan. In 2023, the opening of the new PALFINGER MARINE Taiwan office coincided with the launch of our new training program in collaboration with Taiwan International Windpower Training Corporation (TIWTC). |
And then there’s Singapore: a city-state that, as the home of an exceptionally strong technical team, not only acts as an important hub for all PALFINGER MARINE product groups but is also an important location for our land business. Australia also harbors great potential that PALFINGER MARINE is eager to tap into. We have ambitious plans to consolidate and strengthen our position in that particular market, so keep your eyes peeled for some exciting news in the near future.
When exploring the APAC region, it is impossible to omit the importance of PALFINGER MARINE’s acquisition of Harding in 2016. As a result, we have a very strong local standing in the field of lifesaving appliances (LSA).
 PALFINGER MARINE Fixed Boom Crane In the offshore wind field, PALFINGER MARINE was recently commissioned to deliver 14 fixed boom cranes for the Ishikari offshore wind farm and 25 stiff boom cranes for the Hibikinada offshore wind project. For another major project, we were tasked to provide 26 fixed boom cranes to intertidal wind farms in Vietnam. The list goes on and on! |
Tapping into Market Prospects
So, what does the future hold for the maritime and offshore industry in the APAC region? The future is bright.
- The booming shipbuilding market in Asia, mostly China, is an inevitability that promises great potential for PALFINGER MARINE. China is already the number one shipbuilding nation in the world and the trend remains upwards.
- The importance of the region is underscored by our office openings in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan over the last few years.
- The transition to renewable energy sources across the globe can also be felt in Asia-Pacific, resulting in an increased demand for equipment used on offshore wind farms and specialized service vessels.
- PALFINGER MARINE is continuously strengthening its on-location service capabilities in Asia-Pacific by expanding its individual, regional networks.
PALFINGER MARINE is eager to tap into this vast potential by pursuing an ambitious growth plan in Asia-Pacific across the board. The individual markets are developing into interesting directions – and we are ready to develop with them.
PALFINGER MARINE is a strong brand with an equally strong presence in the APAC region. As our network moves closer together as part of our renewed focus on complete solutions, we are confident that we can continue to grow in line with the market. As the market matures, we mature with it. Join us on this journey.