Foreign technology fuelling China's shipbuilding dream

European marine-engine maker Wartsila is to transfer most of its propeller- and auxiliary-engine production to China from the Netherlands, resulting in the loss of a third of its 1,500 workforce in that country. The company cited a significantly lower order intake during the past year, and "fundamental changes" in the marine market. One of the fundamental shifts it refers to is the emergence of China. Last year, China overtook South Korea as the world's biggest shipbuilder in terms of new orders – though not in overall tonnage terms – says brokers Clarksons. South Korea and Japan have been the world's top shipbuilders for many years. Although the total number of orders in 2009 was a fractio