The last ship ever to be built at Guangzhou's century-old GSI shipyard in Liwan district, rolled down the slipway into the waters of the Pearl River on Nov 1, marking the end of an era.

Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) waved farewell to its last vessel, a 50,000 deadweight ton (dwt) oil production ship build for Stena Group, before it moves to a newly-built shipyard on Longxue Island in Nansha Free Trade Zone.

The last ship made at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) Liwan shipyard slips into the Pearl River on Nov 1. [Photo/ycwb.com] 

The new Nansha shipyard neighbors Hong Kong and Macao, and covers 2.5 million square meters, is equipped with two 300,000 dwt dry docks, four 600 ton gantry cranes, one 900 ton gantry crane, five Very Large Crude Carrier berths, and two 50,000 dwt shipbuilding slipways. 

GSI was established by overseas businessman Tan Liting in 1914 at Guangzhou South Dock, before moving to Liwan district in 1954. The company started out building small vessel under 100dwt before expanding to construct giant ships over 300,000dwt.

Industry heavyweights recognize the important contribution that GSI and its Liwan shipyard have made towards the Guangzhou economy, coastal security and defense in the South China Sea.

Peace Ark, China's navy hospital ship which was put into built by GSI in Liwan in 2008 continues to serve navy and maritime industry to this day.

From early June this year, GSI began to move production from GSI Liwan to its new Nansha shipyard, echoing the government's call to adjust the overall arrangement of the ship-making industry.  

The 50,000dwt oil production vessel is built for Swedish shipping company Stena. [Photo/ycwb.com]