New Quality Productive Forces Set Sail, Blue Economy Reaches New Heights — World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 Successfully Concludes
A Convergence of Wisdom
This grand event brought together the brightest minds, creating a platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas. Leading experts, scholars, key enterprises, and industry organizations from the global maritime equipment sector convened to collaboratively chart a course for the high-quality development of the maritime equipment industry.
A Showcase of Innovation
Serving as a stage for cutting-edge technology and trendsetting advancements, the conference featured the debut of over 7,000 maritime equipment exhibits, with highlights including the “world’s first,” “largest globally,” and breakthroughs that shattered monopolies.
A Catalyst for Development
The Conference is a platform for exploring new opportunities and pursuing breakthroughs. A series of major and high-quality marine economy projects were signed, driving the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation.
With the theme of “Carrying the Dreams of Humanity to New Horizons,” the four-day World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 concluded in Fuzhou on November 18. Centered on key topics in maritime equipment, the event focused on fostering collaborative innovation across industry and supply chains, promoting industry-academia-research cooperation, facilitating talent exchange, advancing trade cooperation, and accelerating the transformation of innovative achievements. The conference continuously propelled the maritime equipment industry toward high-end, green, and intelligent development, achieving new advancements in showcased products, industry matchmaking, and brand impact. It has played an active role in fostering new quality productive forces in the marine sector, advancing the high-quality development of the marine economy, enhancing global connectivity, and building a maritime community with a shared future.
Ship models draw crowds of visitors. Reporter: Chi Yuan / Photography
Showcasing Global Vision
Building a Maritime Community with a Shared Future
The ocean, a cradle of life, a bridge connecting the world, and a catalyst for development, stands as a vast blue stage where China and the world collaborate to shape a shared future of prosperity.
“Our blue planet is not divided into isolated islands by the oceans, but rather united by the oceans into a community with a shared destiny, where the safety and well-being of all nations are interconnected,” noted participants. In recent days, representatives from international maritime organizations, leading maritime equipment nations, and Belt and Road Initiative partner countries gathered in Fuzhou for the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024. The event solidified a growing consensus on building a maritime community with a shared future, reinforcing the conference’s reputation as a premier international event for the maritime equipment industry.
At the keynote session, Mr. Yan Ci, Chief Representative for Maersk Group in North Asia and Chairman of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, emphasized that shipping connects markets and fosters economic growth, with nearly 90% of global international trade being carried out via maritime transport. However, the shipping industry still faces multiple challenges, including environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, reliability, and economic competitiveness. “To address these challenges and ensure the future development of the shipping industry, technological innovation undoubtedly plays a crucial role. Beyond that, we must also cultivate a culture of collaboration and continuous learning to drive collective progress across the entire industry,” he stated.
At the Seminar on Sustainable Development of the Marine Economy of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, attendees focused on sustainable development in the marine economy and explored pathways to building a more open, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable marine ecosystem based on their development experiences.
“Maldives is an island nation, and our development is closely linked to the ocean,” said Fazeel Najeeb, the Maldives Ambassador to China. He highlighted the country’s enormous potential for marine economic development, with increasing demand for specialized marine equipment, ranging from fishing boats and diving equipment to navigation and safety devices. “Let us work together to develop a sustainable and inclusive marine economy,” he added.
“54% of Turkey’s foreign trade is carried out through seaports,” stated Kaan Başkurt, Consul General of Turkey in Guangzhou. He emphasized that, like China, Turkey has an advanced maritime industry, and the potential for cooperation between the two countries is limitless.
“We should strive to reduce the pressure urban development places on the ocean, ensuring the sustainable development of the marine economy,” suggested Jordi Vaquer, Secretary General of the World Association of Major Metropolises. He recommended minimizing plastic usage, implementing effective wastewater management, and creating an environment where marine and urban economies can develop in synergy.
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Calls for international cooperation echoed throughout the event. During the 2nd China Maritime Equipment Expo 2024, held concurrently with the conference, approximately 750 companies from 27 countries and regions worldwide showcased their expertise and core technologies.
Norway’s Höegh Autoliners displayed a model of the “world’s largest and most environmentally friendly” dual-fuel Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) ship in the core exhibition area. With a massive capacity of 9,100 vehicle spaces, the model attracted widespread attention upon its debut.
TeamTec, a first-time exhibitor from Norway, presented its flagship product, the marine incinerator, designed to handle solid waste, oily wastewater, and household garbage aboard vessels. “We entered the Chinese market early, and our business covers many regions across the country, including Mawei Shipyard and XGMA Heavy Industry,” said Lu Jianchun, the booth manager.
The event also showcased fruitful industrial collaborations and cultural exchanges. Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the East Asia Regional Office of UNESCO, and representative for China, North Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and South Korea, stated, “At UNESCO, we are always at the forefront of promoting marine scientific research and education. By deepening our understanding of the ocean, we can provide information support for evidence-based policies and practices to promote sustainability.”
Foreign business representatives take a close look at the displayed marine equipment. Reporter: Chi Yuan / Photography
High Professional Standards
Marine Equipment Achievements on Display
At this high-level international conference on marine equipment, visitors were introduced to some of the world’s most impressive innovations, including the largest 271,000 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, China’s first domestically produced large cruise ship Adora Magic City, and China’s independently developed 93,000 cubic meter ultra-large fully refrigerated liquefied gas carrier. The event brought together nearly 800 well-known marine-related companies, universities, and research institutions. With an exhibition area of 100,000 square meters and over 7,000 pieces of cutting-edge technology, the event showcased a large number of new products, technologies, and equipment in the marine field. “The exhibition is a rare and stunning feast of marine equipment, rich in variety and professionalism!” This was the impression shared by many visitors after touring the exhibition.
“It will soon be delivered to the Norwegian owner.” At the booth of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., the staff shared the exciting news while presenting a model of the 7,500 cubic meters liquefied carbon dioxide transport ship.
This 130-meter long, 21.2-meter wide giant vessel was designed and completed independently by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.. It is the world’s first large ship dedicated to serving the ocean carbon dioxide capture and storage industry. Upon its official delivery, the ship will be used for carbon capture and storage in Europe. The captured carbon dioxide will be transported to a reception terminal on the west coast of Norway, where it will be processed and then permanently stored 2,600 meters under the seabed. This project is expected to play a leading and exemplary role in addressing global carbon dioxide emissions.
At the booth of Shenhao Technology, a bionic fish swimming in the water has attracted the attention of many visitors. “The robotic fish uses advanced sensor technology, allowing it to perform various tasks under human remote control in complex and changing water environments. It serves fields like underwater biological research and environmental monitoring,” said Xie Junhao, Regional Director of Fujian Shenhao Technology Co., Ltd.
Riding the momentum of the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2023 held in Fuzhou, Shenhao Technology Co., Ltd, a specialized and new enterprise recognized by the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, decided to establish its Fujian headquarters in Fuzhou. In May this year, Fujian Shenhao Technology, in collaboration with Lianjiang Modern Ocean Investment Co., Ltd., inaugurated the Shenhai Innovation Laboratory. Since its launch, the laboratory has accelerated the research and development of high-end marine equipment technologies and products, including the application of the underwater robot Shenlong No. 1 in the National Marine Ranch Demonstration Zone at Huangwan Island, Fuzhou.
Building platforms, enhancing communication, and fostering cooperation. Concurrent with the conference, the 2nd China Maritime Equipment Expo 2024 attracted nearly 35,000 professional visitors at home and abroad, including around 7,500 professional buyers. The total attendance exceeded 220,000. Exhibitors noted that the platform enabled them to directly connect with industry professionals and potential clients, facilitating more effective promotion of their products and services. They commended the professionalism of the event, the expertise of the buyers, and the dynamic atmosphere of transactions.
The exhibition area was bustling with crowds, while the conference hall buzzed with the free flow of ideas. The World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 is closely aligned with national industrial policies, emphasizing the collaborative participation of the “government, enterprises, research institutions, education, and associations.” The event also organized 11 thematic seminars, covering topics such as ship electrification, smart fisheries, offshore wind power, and marine culture. Renowned academicians, experts, representatives from industry organizations, and leaders of prominent marine equipment companies, both domestic and international, were invited to present reports and share insights, offering fresh perspectives and ideas to analyze industry trends and contribute to its development.
Abundant Cooperation Results
Major and Promising Projects Taking Shape One After Another
The event has seen countless handshakes, negotiations, and rounds of agreements. Fuzhou is fully committed to positioning the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 as a world-class platform for marine industry exchange and cooperation. This vibrant coastal city is emerging as a vast blue ocean, offering expansive opportunities for enterprises in the marine economy to pursue collaborative growth, both domestically and internationally.
Looking to the sea, old friends join hands once more. Highsun Holding Group (HSCC) once again partners with Fuzhou. The HSCC Global R&D Center and New Materials Integrated Industrial Park project will be located in the Shen Yuan Integrated Industrial Park, Ke Men Economic Development Zone, Lianjiang County. The project will include the construction of the HSCC Global R&D Center, a wetland ecological park, and a national-level pilot plant. The focus will be on increasing production efficiency in caprolactam, developing and manufacturing scarce catalysts, and textile recycling, with further expansion into the production of high-end fine chemicals and new materials such as polyamide new materials, silicon-based fluorine-based new materials, and ketone-based new materials.
An ecosystem is taking shape right here. At the signing ceremony and new product launch event held by Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group Corporation, over 30 companies, including CSSC Engine Co., Ltd. and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd, signed cooperation agreements, with a total value of nearly 20 billion RMB.
Building dreams, new forces rise here. At the Seminar on Scientific Innovation for Marine Economy, Xiamen University unveiled the “Youth Underwater Robotics Science Popularization Program” by the Key Laboratory of Underwater Acoustic Communication and Marine Information Technology of the Ministry of Education. The program, in cooperation with Fujian Letan Education Technology Co., Ltd., was signed to provide a vital platform for young people to learn about and engage with marine affairs, nurturing more innovative and forward-thinking talents for China’s marine science and technology industry.
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This year, at the Fujian Provincial Marine Economic Industry Cooperation, Innovation and Development Conference, a total of 178 projects were signed, with a total investment of over 170 billion RMB. Among these, Fuzhou signed 88 projects, with a total investment exceeding 110 billion RMB. Fifteen of these projects, with a total investment of more than 58 billion RMB, were selected for centralized signing, covering various fields of the marine economy, including marine engineering equipment and shipbuilding, port-related industries, marine pharmaceuticals and biological products, marine ranching, and marine information. These projects continue to invigorate new quality productive forces, injecting more momentum into the ongoing “Marine Fuzhou” initiative and the construction of the national marine economic development demonstration zone.
Each project embodies a dream. Seizing the opportunity presented by the conference in Fuzhou, the enthusiasm for cooperation and the potential for win-win collaboration are palpable everywhere. One blue dream after another is taking flight. (Reporters: Yan Lanping, Jiang Yachen, and Wu Huazhen)
