Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center

The Ship Ocean Industries Research and Development Center is a Taiwanese government owned naval architecture and maritime research institute founded in 1976.

Overview

The prime mission of SOIC is to support Taiwan’s maritime industry. To further this mission it provides marine engineering planning, ship and ocean platform design, technical services, and knowledge integration services to private and public organizations and companies.[1] SOIC has designed vessels for shipping giants, local industry, the Republic of China Navy, and the Coast Guard Administration.[2]

History

SOIC was founded as United Ship Design & Development Center (USDDC) on July 1, 1976. The first chairman was Chieh-Jen Chiang. The first ship designed by USDDC was a 6,100 DWT log carrier.[2] In 2012 the institute changed its name to Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center to better communicate the scope of its activities.[3]

In the 21st century SOIC has been involved in projects to advance Taiwan’s offshore wind power industry.[4][5]

Organization

The Yacht Industry Department of SOIC is the only government supported R&D center for yacht materials and design in the world.[6]

Vessels designed

• Pan Shi-class fast combat support ship[2]
• ROCS Wu Yi (AOE-530)[2]
• SOIC designed the Tuo Chiang-class corvette in collaboration with the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense's Naval Shipbuilding Development Center.[7]
• SOIC, along with CSBC Corporation, Taiwan and foreign technical advisors, is involved in the development of Taiwan’s Indigenous Defence Submarine.[8][9]
• Hybrid electric ferry in partnership with the Finnish company Visedo OY.[10]

See also

• Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Automotive Research & Testing Center
• Institute for Information Industry
• Taiwan Textile Research Institute

References

1. "Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC)". www.moea.gov.tw. Ministry of Economic Affairs. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
2. "History". www.soic.org.tw. SOIC. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
3. "ABOUT SOIC". www.soic.org.tw. SOIC. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
4. "ABS Consulting joins R&D consortium to advance offshore wind in Taiwan". /www.windtech-international.com. Windtech International. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
5. "Royal IHC and IHC IQIP Join Forces with SOIC". www.swzonline.nl. SWZ Online. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
6. Panorama, Taiwan. "The Wind in Their Sails－Taiwan's Asia-Leading Yacht Builders". nspp.mofa.gov.tw. MOFA. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
7. Rahmat, Ridzwan. "Taiwan begins work on improved variant of Tuo Jiang-class corvette". www.janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
8. France-Presse, Agence. "Taiwan Kicks Off Plan To Build Its Own Submarines". www.defensenews.com. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
9. Tan, Chih-lung, Wang, Jyh-perng and. "Taiwan's Submarine Saga". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
10. "NEW ELECTRIC FERRY TO CURB ASIAN EMISSIONS". www.motorship.com. Motorship. Retrieved 24 July 2019.