China’s marine industry is undergoing a seismic shift. After the gross ocean product surpassed 10 trillion yuan in 2024 and marine science and technology was incorporated into the national top-level design in 2025, the sector is pivoting from scale expansion to a new era of quality and efficiency. This transition is not happening in isolation. It’s being supercharged by policy support, market forces, and technological innovation.
Emerging fields like deep-sea technology, marine new energy, and smart ocean applications are exploding. Offshore wind power, subsea data centers, and underwater robots are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Meanwhile, integrated development models—layered, three-dimensional sea area utilization and multi-energy integration—are maturing. These innovations are stitching together a full-chain industrial ecosystem, from seabed resource exploration to in-sea energy development and offshore equipment manufacturing.
The integration of artificial intelligence and big data with the marine industry is driving operational modes towards unmanned, clustered, and intelligent directions. This evolution is boosting efficiency and sustainability, making marine development smarter and more precise.
At the heart of this transformation is the shipbuilding industry, one of the most technology-intensive and innovative sectors in the marine field. China has maintained a leading position in global shipbuilding since 2010 and is now pushing towards green and intelligent development. Ship intelligent systems have achieved breakthroughs in autonomous navigation in narrow waterways and shore-based remote control. However, challenges remain. Sensor accuracy in complex sea conditions, high delay in ship-shore communication, weak network security, and the need to improve AI decision-making in emergencies are all hurdles to overcome. Electric boats also face core issues like balancing power and endurance and ensuring the safety of high-voltage systems.
The conversation around these challenges and opportunities will take center stage at the 36Kr OpenTalk live event on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Titled “Reshaping Maritime Travel: When Ships are Equipped with ‘Electric Hearts’ and ‘AI Brains’,” the event will feature Mr. Dong Jiang, Founder & CEO of Qingbo Exploration, and Mr. Li Bo, Founder & CEO of Boyao Technology. They will delve into the global electrification system of boats and the development and outlook of ship intelligent navigation technology.
Mr. Dong Jiang will focus on “Promoting the Global Electrification System of Boats with Innovative Technologies,” sharing insights on high-performance electric outboard motors and new energy going global. Mr. Li Bo will explore the “Development and Outlook of Ship Intelligent Navigation Technology and Intelligent Ship Equipment,” discussing full-voyage autonomous navigation tasks and full-scenario intelligent navigation solutions.
This event is a must-attend for entrepreneurs, investors, and practitioners in marine science and technology. It’s a chance to interact with industry leaders, discuss technological breakthroughs, commercial bottlenecks, and future trends, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the marine industry.
As the sector accelerates its transition to quality and efficiency, such dialogues will be crucial. They will help shape the policies, innovations, and collaborations needed to navigate the challenges and harness the opportunities ahead. The future of the marine industry is being written now, and everyone has a role to play in shaping it.