July 11, 2025 marks the 21st China Maritime Day, with this year's theme being "Green Navigation, Striving for Innovation". The main event takes place in Boao, Qionghai City, Hainan Province.

As part of a nationwide cultural tour, the “Converging into the Sea – Xinhongzhuan Maritime Silk Road Cultural Tribute Tour,” jointly organized by Dalian Maritime University (DMU), COSCO Shipping Group, and other institutions, arrived in Hainan on July 2. Since then, it has featured a rich array of maritime technology exhibitions and cultural experience activities at Xinhai Port in Haikou, Yangpu Port in Danzhou, and Longwan Port in Qionghai. On July 10 and 11, President Shan Hongjun, Vice President Zhao Youtao, together with heads of relevant departments and faculty representatives, attended the main forum of the 2025 China Maritime Day, including the opening ceremony and other main activities.

On the morning of July 10, the China International Seafarers Forum was held. At the forum, Shan Hongjun delivered a speech entitled “Breaking the Deadlock and Reconstructing: Building a Diversified Cultivation System for the Seafarer Career Ecosystem in the Era of Intelligent Navigation”. He briefly introduced the university's explorations and practices in talent cultivation mechanisms, curriculum system optimization, and teaching resource development against the backdrop of accelerated digitalization and intelligent transformation of the shipping industry. He also shared ideas and measures for cultivating top-notch innovative "navigator-oriented" talents. He emphasized that with the deepening of the new round of global technological revolution, new forms and models of intelligent shipping are reshaping the global shipping trade landscape at an unprecedented speed. To meet the new changes and demands brought about by the development of global intelligent shipping, it is urgent to continuously explore and improve future-oriented talent cultivation models for intelligent shipping. He stated that DMU is committed to collaborating with all industry stakeholders to lead the development of intelligent shipping. Guided by industry demands and through forward-looking planning, innovation-driven efforts, interdisciplinary approaches, and integration of industry and education, the university will accelerate the cultivation of top-tier innovative talents who can empower and steer the high-quality development of new intelligent shipping ecosystems, providing robust support for building a strong transportation nation and serving as a pioneering force for Chinese modernization.

On the afternoon of July 11, the 2025 Symposium on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces in the Shipping Industry was held. At the event, President Shan Hongjun delivered a speech titled “Enhancing Maritime Education to Foster New Quality Productive Forces in the Transportation Sector”. He outlined DMU’s initiatives and achievements in supporting the development of new quality productive forces in transportation through talent cultivation, discipline construction, scientific and technological innovation, and international exchanges and cooperation. President Shan emphasized that key measures for cultivating new quality productive forces in transportation include: vigorously advancing scientific and technological innovation; fostering a virtuous cycle among education, technology, and talents; improving mechanisms for talent cultivation, recruitment, utilization, and rational mobility; and optimizing university discipline structures and talent training models to accelerate the cultivation of urgently needed professionals. He further noted that DMU will continue to operate under the strong leadership of the Ministry of Transport’s Party Committee, and with the continued support of industry partners. The university will continue to stimulate institutional vitality, uphold innovation-driven development, and advance education, science and technology, and talent training in an integrated manner. It will contribute to accelerating the development of new quality productive forces in the transportation sector and support the building of China into a leading maritime, transportation, and shipping power, thus helping drive the high-quality development of the shipping industry.

On the afternoon of July 11, Vice President Zhao Youtao delivered a keynote speech at the 2025 International Forum on Ship Technology and Safety. He emphasized that driving the green and smart transition of the shipping industry is essential to putting the new development philosophy into practice, fostering a new development paradigm, and supporting the accelerated building of China into a strong country in transportation, maritime affairs, and shipping. He stated that DMU will leverage its integrated strengths in education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. The university will deepen collaboration with industry partners in key areas like smart ports, intelligent vessels, and the “Dual Carbon” strategy, jointly exploring new paths and models for collaborative technological breakthroughs and the cultivation of top-tier innovative talent, thereby contributing to the building of a new shipping ecosystem that is more efficient, safe, intelligent, and green.

On July 4 and 8, the vessel Xinhongzhuan conducted tests in the waters near Yangpu Port and Longwan Port, including remote control navigation, autonomous navigation in narrow waterways, and automatic berthing and unberthing.

Remote control:

During the test, the primary shore-based remote control center was set up at DMU, with a secondary station at the Shanghai Ship and Shipping Research Institute. The shore-based center monitored the real-time navigation status of Xinhongzhuan and conducted information exchange with the vessel. The test primarily included remote operations such as sound signal activation, acceleration, steering, and stopping. The test achieved the expected functions, demonstrating that the shore-based remote control technology of Xinhongzhuan has reached an internationally advanced level. Moving forward, the university will continue to improve fault-tolerant technologies for the ship-shore communication hardware and software, and make breakthroughs in remote control under delayed communication conditions, proactive information pushing from shore to ship, and comprehensive ship-shore information interaction technologies.

Autonomous navigation in narrow waters:

This test was conducted in waters near Yangpu Port. Starting east of Yangpu Port Anchorage No. 10 and ending near Yangpu Port Berth No. 1, the test covered a distance of 5 nautical miles at an average speed of 8 knots. The narrowest section of the waterway measures 180 meters in width. The test yielded good results, demonstrating that the autonomous navigation capabilities of Xinhongzhuan have been upgraded. Moving forward, more in-depth research will be carried out on autonomous navigation in narrow waterways, with a focus on overcoming the key challenge of autonomous collision avoidance in constrained waterways.

Automated berthing and unberthing test:

After switching to the automated berthing and unberthing mode, Xinhongzhuan first performed a 180-degree turn as required for starboard-side berthing. It then gradually approached the berth. When the ship was approximately 10 meters from the shore and mooring conditions were met, the automated berthing process was successfully completed.

On July 11th, a journalist from China Media Group (CMG) boarded Xinhongzhuan and visited the university's Intelligent Ship-Shore Digital Control Center. The journalist interviewed relevant experts and scholars. The visit was livestreamed via the CCTV News official video channel and app, allowing viewers to experience the allure of maritime technology.

During its stay in Hainan, members of the public who had registered boarded Xinhongzhuan to explore the mysteries of the intelligent vessel. In the ship’s high-tech bridge, faculty and students demonstrated the onboard intelligent systems to visitors. At the ship's “Yu Hai Zhi Qi” Smart Ship Training Center, visitors eagerly experienced the engine room simulator, enjoying the fun of maneuvering a vessel. Using this simulator, students can conduct training in bridge operations, engine room management, and electrical system maintenance within an immersive virtual environment, while interacting with and validating the ship's physical systems. This enhances their comprehensive understanding and hands-on skills in the integrated navigation, engine, and electrical systems of a vessel.

Empowered by technology, driven by talent;

The voice of DMU, loud and clear;

We strive for maritime excellence as the future unfolds.