The countdown to the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 has begun! Aligned closely with national industrial policy, the conference emphasizes collaboration across government, industry, research, academia, and associations. Eleven seminars have been carefully planned to run concurrently, covering fields such as ship electrification, smart fisheries, offshore wind power, and marine culture. Renowned domestic and international experts, representatives from industry organizations, and leaders of prominent marine equipment companies will deliver presentations, offering insights into new trends and contributing innovative ideas for industry development.

　　The seminars are jointly organized by seven national-level associations and research centers, including the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, and the China Association of Automation, along with relevant provincial departments. Over ten distinguished academicians and experts, including Dai Minhan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yang Desen of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, will deliver keynote speeches, exploring the dynamics of marine equipment technology, smart fisheries, offshore wind power advancements, etc. To further enhance its international perspective, the seminars will welcome guests from nearly 30 countries and regions, including representatives from nine major global industry organizations, such as the International Association of Institutes of Navigation, World Sailing, and the Det Norske Veritas (DNV). These sessions will provide a platform for global dialogue and collaboration on marine industry development.

　　The seminars will continue to deepen their focus on brand development. The Seminar on Electrification of Inland and Coastal Ships, the Seminar on International Boat Industry Development, and the Seminar on Smart Fishery and Equipment Ecosystem will follow the format established last year to become a key platform for communication in the maritime equipment sector. The Seminar on Electrification of Inland and Coastal Ships will once again invite renowned experts, scholars, and representatives from leading companies across the industry chain to discuss developments in electric vessel demand, technology applications, standards, and battery power. The Seminar on International Boat Industry Development will continue to provide a platform for industry exchange, facilitating resource alignment both within the sector and beyond to enhance the vitality of the boat industry.

　　The seminars will deepen industrial cooperation through a series of promotional activities, signing events, and industry-academia-research dialogues, aiming to drive the high-quality development of the marine economy. Among them, the Seminar on Smart Fishery and Equipment Ecosystem will be accompanied by a promotional event for the marine fisheries equipment industry in Fujian Province, where local cities will engage in industry promotion and signing activities. The Seminar on Scientific Innovation for Marine Economy will organize a signing ceremony for the joint construction of marine innovation hubs, enhancing communication and exchange between marine research institutions inside and outside the province. The Seminar on the Development of Intelligent Maritime Transportation will host high-level dialogues between industry, academia, and research, bringing together representatives from multiple companies and universities such as Fujian University of Technology, Jimei University, and Fuzhou University to discuss the challenges of implementing the offshore intelligent transportation industry.

　　Additionally, the seminars have introduced a one-on-one co-organizer mechanism for counties and districts. Coastal counties and districts with robust industrial foundations and rich cultural heritage that align closely with the session topics will serve as co-organizers. These regions are encouraged to leverage the conference as a platform to actively promote industrial investment and to ensure the successful implementation and transformation of the seminars’ outcomes. (Fuzhou Daily, reporter Yan Lanping)