2025 Maritime Technology Youth Forum Successfully Held in Boao
On the morning of July 12, 2025, the 2025 Maritime Technology Youth Forum, a key event of China Maritime Day, was grandly held in Boao, Hainan. Jointly organized by the Youth Experts Committee of the China Institute of Navigation (YEC), the Waterborne Transportation Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport, and CCCC Dredging (Group) Co., Ltd., the forum was themed "Technological Innovation Leading Green Development in Shipping" and attracted nearly a hundred young scientific and technological professionals. Distinguished guests attending and addressing the forum included Xu Zuyuan, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport and former President of the China Institute of Navigation; Academician Yan Xinping, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Waterway Transportation Control and Professor at Wuhan University of Technology; Guo Qingsong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Water Transport of the Ministry of Transport; and Li Xi, Vice Mayor of Qionghai City, Hainan Province. The opening ceremony was hosted by Feng Yue, Deputy Director of the Waterborne Transportation Research Institute. The keynote presentation sessions were co-hosted by Feng Xiaoxiang, Deputy Director of Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Ministry of Transport, and Zhang Haijun, Vice President of CCCC Dredging (Group) Co., Ltd., both Vice Chairs of YEC.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Li Xi noted that the forum had created an important platform for youth to exchange ideas in maritime technological innovation. He highlighted the vast opportunities arising from the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and warmly invited young talents to visit Qionghai for exchange, investment, and entrepreneurship, working together toward a prosperous marine future.
Deputy Director-General Guo Qingsong emphasized the urgency of the green transition in the shipping industry and presented three expectations for the youth: to tackle critical “bottleneck” issues in green technologies; to promote deep integration among industry, academia, and research; and to actively participate in the formulation of international rules, thereby enhancing China’s voice in global maritime affairs. He underscored that youth are the driving force of innovation and should take technology as the sail to guide the high-quality development of shipping.
Academician Yan Xinping pointed out that green transformation is an inevitable trend, with technological innovation at its core. He emphasized the role of new energy and artificial intelligence technologies in supporting this transition and encouraged young researchers to share their achievements through the forum and contribute to the sustainable development of the maritime sector.
Mr. Xu Zuyuan reflected on his time working in Boao and shared three key messages for young professionals: first, to “aim high” by aligning personal aspirations with national strategies and contributing to building a strong maritime nation; second, to “remain grounded” by engaging at the grassroots level to advance industry-academia-research integration and translate technologies into real productivity; and third, to “lay strong foundations” by upholding the spirit of scientific rigor and innovation in overcoming technical challenges. He called on young professionals to carry forward the torch of innovation and continue writing the legend of maritime development, injecting new vitality into China’s goal of becoming a global maritime power.
During the presentation session, the following academic reports were delivered: Feng Xiaoxiang, Deputy Director of Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Ministry of Transport, on Technological Innovation and Practice in the Construction of Green Inland Waterways. Zhang Zunhua, Associate Dean of the School of Naval Architecture and Power Engineering at Wuhan University of Technology, on Prospects for Methanol-Fueled Ship Propulsion. Zhang Bin, Professor at the College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, on Safety Technologies for Clean Energy-Powered Ships.
Additional academic presentations included: Zhang Hongsheng, Director of CCCC National Engineering Research Center of Dredging Technology and Equipment Co., Ltd., on Intelligent Dredging Technology R&D and Future Prospects. Wang Yu, Deputy General Manager of the Department of Science and Technology Innovation at COSCO SHIPPING Group, on Exploration and Practice of Green and Smart Transformation in Shipping. Ji Yongbo, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee at the Waterborne Transportation Research Institute, on Energy Transition Driving Green and Low-Carbon Development in China’s Domestic Shipping.
At the forum’s conclusion, Zhang Di, Executive Vice Chair of YEC and Vice President of Wuhan University of Technology, delivered a summary speech. He reviewed the development of the YEC, introduced key initiatives in 2025, and outlined the committee’s future plans.
This year’s forum focused on in-depth discussions surrounding green waterways, new energy vessels, intelligent dredging, green transformation of shipping, and low-carbon maritime development. It successfully built a platform for upstream and downstream industry exchange, promoted cooperation, and charted a shared path for future development.