From November 13 to 14, 2025, the Dalian Shipping Conference was grandly held at the Dalian International Conference Center under the theme “Navigating the Future with Green Fuels and Maritime Talent.” Nearly 400 shipping professionals, government and industry representatives, and experts and scholars from China and abroad gathered in the coastal city. President Shan Hongjun and Vice President Zeng Qingcheng were invited to attend the conference.

On the morning of the 13th, prior to the opening ceremony, the conference hosted a thematic exhibition titled “Technology Empowering Green Voyage: Building a High-Quality Development Demonstration Zone for Green Marine Fuels in Northeast Asia,” where the university’s representative accomplishments in relevant fields were showcased. President Shan Hongjun briefed on the “Training Hub for Green Shipping Talents” exhibition curated by the university to distinguished guests, including Xiong Maoping, Deputy Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the CPC and Secretary of the Dalian Municipal Committee of the CPC, as well as Hing Chao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS).

At the opening ceremony, President Shan Hongjun, along with Zhao Yan, President and Deputy Party Secretary of China Classification Society (CCS); Yang Shu, Deputy Party Secretary, Vice Chairman, and General Manager of Liaoning Provincial Transportation Investment Group Co., Ltd.; and Jin Wanbing, Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of CGN (Liaoning) New Energy Co., Ltd., participated in the Signing Ceremony for the Admission of New Members to the Joint R&D Center for Sustainable Marine Fuels. This center is a government-university-enterprise collaborative innovation platform jointly initiated by Dalian Maritime University (DMU) and multiple partners.

During the main conference’s “Authoritative Dialogue” session, President Shan Hongjun was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled “Accelerating the Cultivation of Future-Oriented Intelligent Shipping Talents to Help Build a Strong Transportation Nation and Maritime Power”. He engaged in in-depth exchanges with attending leaders and guests, focusing on three aspects: the overall situation of DMU’s shipping talent cultivation, exploration and practices in intelligent shipping talent training, and future plans and vision. He stated that the shipping industry, as a technology-intensive and talent-intensive sector, urgently needs to accelerate the cultivation of maritime talents adapted to future intelligent, green, and safe shipping demands in response to new changes and needs brought by green and digital-intelligent development, thereby supporting the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. He emphasized that the university’s primary mission is to serve national strategies and bolster the growth of intelligent shipping, guided by both industry and regional needs. This will be achieved by cultivating a new generation of elite innovators equipped to empower and lead the emerging ecosystem of intelligent shipping. Strategically, the institution will base its efforts in Dalian while extending its impact across the nation and globally. He concluded by expressing his hope to join forces with colleagues worldwide in the shipping industry, advocating for collective action and collaboration to navigate challenges and shape a shared future.

On the afternoon of the 13th, the parallel session “Forum on Maritime Talent”, hosted by the university, brought together representatives and experts from maritime authorities, international organizations, leading maritime institutions, and industry enterprises across multiple countries, including China, Indonesia, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. At the session, Shan Hongjun delivered a welcome speech, signed a cooperation agreement with Tri Cahyadi, President of STIP Jakarta, and presented a commemorative plaque “International Cooperation Ambassador of Dalian Maritime University” to Hing Chao. During the keynote session, a number of distinguished experts from China and abroad shared their cutting-edge insights, including Zhang Baochen, Vice President of the Chinese Institute of Navigation and President of the International Association of Institutes of Navigation (IAIN); Wisnu Handoko, Director of the Human Resources Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation; Tri Cahyadi, Chairman of the STIP Jakarta; Shen Shaojun, Chairman of the China Institute of Communications Education; and Liu Zhengjiang, former Vice President of DMU. The subsequent roundtable discussion centered on the theme “Cultivating Maritime Talent in the Era of Green and Smart Shipping.” Guests from the Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration, Liverpool John Moores University (UK), Istanbul Technical University (Türkiye), Wuhan University of Technology, the China Classification Society, the International Chamber of Commerce, and Huayang Maritime Center engaged in in-depth discussions on government–industry–academia collaboration, alignment with international standards, and strengthening practical competencies.

More than 60 guests from seven countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Malaysia, participated in the parallel session, the “Closed-Door Seminar of the Global Maritime Forum,” hosted by DMU. Shan Hongjun, Zeng Qingcheng, Hing Chao, and Johannah Christensen, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Maritime Forum, attended the session and delivered remarks.

On behalf of DMU, Shan Hongjun signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with representatives from the Global Maritime Forum. At the meeting, Professor Li Qingbo from our university delivered a keynote speech covering topics including “low-carbon methanol fuel supply chain”, “carbon intensity and cost effects”, and “path selection countermeasures and suggestions”. Marieke, Deputy Director of Decarbonization at the Global Maritime Forum, and Zhao Kai, Chief Representative of China at the Methanol Institute, held a special discussion on the application value of methanol in the shipping sector. Participants focused on the core topic of “how to build a collaborative and efficient green fuel supply chain” for group exchanges.

On the morning of the 14th, Zeng Qingcheng was invited to attend the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping Clean Energy Supply Chain Exchange Conference and shared insights in the “Insight for Decision-Makers” session. He elaborated on the university’s explorations and reflections in low-carbon shipping from multiple perspectives, including top-level design, scientific research, teaching and research platforms, talent cultivation, and industry training.

During the conference, Shan Hongjun held talks with a delegation led by Wisnu Handoko, Director of the Human Resources Agency of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, and Tri Cahyadi, Chairman of STIP Jakarta.

During the conference, a total of 75 student volunteers from the university, who had undergone a rigorous selection process and intensive training, provided high-quality service and support for the event. Their exemplary performance showcased the professionalism of DMU students on the international stage and received unanimous praise from participating leaders and other distinguished guests.

The relevant sessions were organized and attended by responsible officials and representatives of faculty and students from the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, the Navigation College, and the School of Maritime Economics and Management of DMU.