The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of China Maritime Day and the 620th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas. To promote and carry forward the maritime spirit in the new era while showcasing China's advancements in maritime technology, the “Xin Hongzhuan” Vessel Cultural Exhibition Tour, paying tribute to the Maritime Silk Road culture, set sail from Dalian on June 16 as one of the key events for China Navigation Day 2025. Co-organized by COSCO SHIPPING Group and Dalian Maritime University, the tour is under the guidance of the China Institute of Navigation.
The departure ceremony was officially held at Dalian Port on the morning of June 16. The event was graced by the presence of over 100 distinguished attendees, including Li Shixin, Executive Vice President of the China Institute of Navigation; Li Guoping, former Safety Director of the Ministry of Transport who serves as Chief Advisor for the “Xin Hongzhuan” Vessel Exhibition Tour; Zhang Yong, Deputy General Manager and a member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of COSCO SHIPPING Group; Dalian Maritime University's Party Committee Secretary Xu Minqiang and President Shan Hongjun; Li Xinbiao, Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Director of Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration; Cheng Xiaoze, Deputy Director of the Liaoning Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission; Ma Guodong, Party Committee Member and Deputy General Manager of China Transportation News; Zhao Feng, Party Committee Secretary and Director of China Maritime Museum; along with representatives from the “Xin Hongzhuan” vessel.
On behalf of the China Institute of Navigation, Li Shixin cordially invited all distinguished guests to attend the main event of China Maritime Day in Boao, Hainan from July 10 to 12. He emphasized that as a benchmark of new-generation intelligent vessels, the “Xin Hongzhuan” represents not only technological breakthroughs in autonomous navigation and zero-carbon operations, but also establishes a paradigm for the coordinated development of future “unmanned fleets” and “smart ports” through its digital twin and intelligent decision-making systems. “The vessel has truly realized intelligent navigation, clean energy utilization, and digitalized maintenance, accelerating the global shipping industry's transition towards enhanced safety, efficiency and sustainability,” Li stated. “This achievement carries profound significance for advancing green shipping and revolutionizing intelligent maritime technologies.” Aligned with this year’s China Maritime Day theme - “Green Navigation: Pioneering a Sustainable Future”, the voyage to Boao Hainan serves as both a resounding interpretation and powerful implementation of the event's core vision.
Speaking on behalf of Dalian Maritime University (DMU), President Shan Hongjun warmly welcomed all distinguished guests. He emphasized that DMU remains steadfastly committed to advancing the digital, intelligent, and green transformation of the shipping industry, upholding its integrated “trinity” mission of combining education, scientific research, and talent cultivation to support China's high-quality development in maritime transportation. “The ‘Xin Hongzhuan’ vessel,” President Shan noted, “represents a pioneering achievement as the world’s first dual-purpose intelligent research and training ship integrating autonomous navigation, remote control, and independent operation capabilities. It stands as both a landmark accomplishment in DMU’s national transportation power initiative pilot projects and a testament to our university’s commitment to self-reliance in advanced transportation technology to accelerate China’s development as a transportation powerhouse.” President Shan articulated his vision for the “Xin Hongzhuan” vessel’s exhibition tour, emphasizing its dual mission of completing all scheduled experimental verifications while serving as a cultural ambassador to elevate public maritime awareness, promote nautical literacy, and champion the new era’s maritime spirit. The vessel carries profound symbolic significance - paying homage to maritime pioneers while actualizing the vision of “seamless mobility for people and unimpeded logistics for goods.” As it braves the waves ahead, the “Xin Hongzhuan” vessel embodies China's determined march toward establishing global leadership in transportation, maritime development and shipping excellence, steadfastly pioneering the course for Chinese modernization.
Zhang Yong emphasized that the “Xin Hongzhuan” vessel, developed through the collaborative efforts of COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry and Dalian Maritime University as the world’s first dual-purpose intelligent research and training ship, vividly demonstrates China’s leading position in smart vessel and autonomous navigation technologies. He noted that this exhibition tour holds profound significance in promoting maritime heritage, disseminating ocean culture, and inspiring younger generations to engage in maritime careers. COSCO SHIPPING Group pledges to join hands with industry, academic and research partners to leverage the “Xin Hongzhuan” initiative as a new platform for collectively realizing the vision of a multidimensional maritime future - one that embraces ecological sustainability, intelligent technologies, unimpeded navigation, open cooperation and cultural enrichment - thereby contributing China’s solutions and making greater strides toward building a global maritime community with a shared future.
Zhao Feng stated that Zheng He’s maritime expeditions represent China’s glorious achievements in the early era of globalization, demonstrating extraordinary Chinese maritime wisdom. These historic voyages not only showcased the pinnacle of ancient China’s nautical technology but also provide valuable historical references for modern China’s efforts to build itself into a maritime power. As Director of China Maritime Museum, Zhao expressed the institution's enduring commitment to narrating maritime stories across ages and civilizations while promoting public awareness of nautical culture. He looked forward to collaborating with COSCO SHIPPING Group and Dalian Maritime University to carry forward Zheng He’s navigational spirit, exhibit China’s latest maritime accomplishments, and inject new momentum into the nation's maritime power development initiative.
Li Guoping and Xu Minqiang jointly unveiled the plaque for the "Yuhai Zhiqi" (Wisdom-Empowering Marine) Intelligent Ship Training Center. This training center, jointly established by COSCO SHIPPING Group and Dalian Maritime University, is a national-level intelligent ship training base. Utilizing the "New Hongzhuan" intelligent ship as its carrier, it integrates cutting-edge technologies such as all-electric propulsion and the i-Ship intelligent system to create a comprehensive onboard training platform that combines teaching and practical training, scientific research and innovation, and technology verification. The center can accommodate 30 trainees simultaneously to carry out practical scientific projects including comprehensive training in navigation, machinery, and electrical systems, intelligent navigation, remote control, and more. It represents an innovative endeavor in collaborative efforts between the university and enterprise to advance the cultivation of intelligent shipping talents and bolster the upgrading of China's shipping industry.
Captain He Qinghua announced the voyage information and the tour exhibition activities. Yu Lei, Assistant to the President of Hong Kong COSCO SHIPPING and General Manager of Shenzhen New Century Company, interpreted the design concept of the "Colorful Ocean" themed wrap for the "New Hongzhuan" vessel and presented a commemorative stamp folder to He Qinghua.
During the "Maritime Heritage" segment, Xia Guozhong, a graduate of the 1956 class from Dalian Maritime University, the inaugural captain of the training ship "Yu Hong," former dean of the Navigation College, and a recipient of the Special Government Allowance from the State Council, shared his maritime spirit and life experiences via video. He also offered heartfelt advice to the young students. Dong Hua, a graduate of the 1980 class from Dalian Maritime University and the godmother of the "New Hongzhuan" vessel, participated in an interview to share her insights gained from visiting the "New Hongzhuan" and the cultural exhibition. She encouraged the young students to inherit the spirit of Dalian Maritime University and shoulder the responsibilities of the times. On behalf of Xia Guozhong, Dong Hua presented the onboard students with precious shoulder badges and cap emblems from his tenure as captain of the "Yu Hong," symbolizing the intergenerational transmission of the maritime spirit. She also tied sailor's knots for the students, embodying profound expectations of "standing together through thick and thin, persevering through hardships, navigating scientifically, and upholding patriotism at our core."
At the end of the event, Shan Hongjun and Zhang Yong jointly pressed the departure button, and the ship sounded its horn and set sail.
This cultural exhibition voyage will last approximately 30 days, covering a distance of nearly 4,000 nautical miles. The designed route spans from Dalian, Liaoning, to Taicang, Jiangsu; then to Shanghai; followed by Quanzhou, Fujian; and further to Haikou, Yangpu, Qionghai, and Sanya, all in Hainan Province. The vessel will dock at each port for 2-3 days and open its doors to the public. During the voyage, the "New Hongzhuan" will conduct multiple intelligent navigation experiments.