On May 13, the preparatory meeting for the Intelligent Waterborne Transport Branch of the China Intelligent Transportation Systems Association (ITS China) was successfully held at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center. Hosted by ITS China and organized by Dalian Maritime University (DMU), the meeting closely aligned with China’s national strategies of becoming a country with strong transportation network and a leading maritime power, while anchoring its objectives to the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan for smart shipping development. The event brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, research institutes, and end-users across the country’s intelligent waterborne transport sector. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on innovative developments in smart shipping, building industry synergy to drive the high-quality development and international strategic positioning of China’s intelligent waterborne transport industry.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures including Sun Yuqing, Vice Chairman of the China Intelligent Transportation Systems Association; Wang Hongwei, Vice President of China Classification Society; Zhu Maijin, Executive Director and General Manager of COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation; Wu Zhongdai, Deputy General Manager of COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry; and Guo Quan, President of Dalian Neusoft University of Information. Also in attendance were leaders and expert representatives from leading enterprises, higher education institutions, and research institutes, including the Ningbo Shipping Exchange, Shenzhen COSCO SHIPPING Digital Technology, COSCO SHIPPING Technology, Shanghai International Port Group, Shandong Port Group, Offshore Oil Engineering Co., Ltd., the Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering under the Ministry of Transport, the 704 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd., Dalian University of Technology, Hohai University, Ocean University of China, Wuhan University of Technology, Shanghai Maritime University, and Jimei University. The meeting was chaired by Lv Honggang, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department at DMU.

During the meeting, Sun Yuqing delivered a special report on the preparatory work for the Intelligent Waterborne Transport Branch, providing a detailed introduction to its background, core positioning, and strategic approach. He pointed out that establishing the Intelligent Waterborne Transport Branch is a crucial initiative for ITS China to optimize its organizational structure, expand its industry footprint, and respond to the development needs of the intelligent waterborne transportation sector. According to Sun, the branch will focus on key areas such as smart ships, smart ports, shipping big data, autonomous navigation, green and low-carbon shipping, and the construction of an ecosystem for international waterborne transport expansion. Adhering to the principles of compliant operation, standardized management, and collaborative development, the branch aims to build a professional platform that serves its members and empowers the industry, ultimately accelerating the waterborne transport sector’s transition toward digital, intelligent, green, and international development.

Participating experts and corporate representatives shared insights and offered constructive recommendations on key topics, including the branch’s mandate and positioning, its annual work plan, smart shipping technological innovation, and industrial ecosystem development. Drawing upon their own practical experiences, attendees provided valuable feedback that establishes a solid, practical foundation for the subsequent development and operation of the branch.

The successful convening of this preparatory meeting marks a transition into the substantive implementation phase for the establishment of the Intelligent Waterborne Transport Branch of ITS China. Looking ahead, the branch will fully leverage its role as an industry bridge and bond to integrate premium resources, promote collaborative technological innovation, and accelerate the transformation and application of research achievements. By doing so, it aims to help China’s intelligent waterborne transport industry break through developmental bottlenecks, comprehensively enhance its international competitiveness, and contribute maritime wisdom and industry strength to the nation’s mission of becoming a country with strong transportation network and a leading maritime power.