The tides of the East China Sea surge, and innovation flourishes! On March 29, the Marine Power Industry Chain Innovation Development Conference, hosted by CSI Group and supported by the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines, China Classification Society Zhejiang Branch, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Technology, Ningbo University, and Baima Lake Laboratory, was held at Sun Lake Villa in Ningbo. The conference was attended by over 200 representatives, including Gao Xiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of Zhejiang University of Technology, Director of Zhejiang University’s Carbon Neutrality Research Institute, and Director of Baima Lake Laboratory; Xu Huixiang, Deputy Secretary of the Jiangbei District Committee and District Mayor of Ningbo; Li Shusheng, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines; Wu Xuedong, Deputy Director of Yongjiang Laboratory; Shi Ying, Vice Chairman of the Ningbo Association for Science and Technology; Qiu Jianyong, Deputy General Manager of China Classification Society (CCS) Zhejiang Branch; and experts from Zhejiang University, as well as key enterprise representatives from the upstream and downstream sectors of the marine power industry chain.
With the theme “ CSI Power – Converging Momentum, Chaining the New Quality “, the conference aimed to enhance exchanges, promote cooperation, deepen industry-academia-government-research integration, and leverage innovation to drive industrial development. By linking industrial chains with value chains, the event sought to build a more competitive and high-quality power sector, facilitating the green, secure, and sustainable development of the marine power industry. Wu Jie, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of CSI Group, and Chairman of CSI Power, delivered the welcome speech. Other keynote speeches were given by Liu Hongdan, Deputy General Manager of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Chongqing Marine Industry Company and Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Director of CSSC (Chongqing) Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.; Li Shusheng, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines; Qiu Jianyong, Deputy General Manager of China Classification Society Zhejiang Branch; and Professor Yu Xiaoli, a doctoral advisor at Zhejiang University. Academician Gao Xiang delivered the keynote report “Energy Technology Innovation Empowering Green Transformation.”
And Wu Jie emphasized that in the current global landscape, external risks and challenges such as “decoupling and breaking supply chains” and “small yards, high fence” are increasing, making traditional economic growth models unsustainable. The deep integration of industry, academia, research, and government, along with the joint development of new quality productive forces, is becoming crucial for improving industrial chain resilience, security, and autonomy. ” CSI Power – Converging Momentum, Chaining the New Quality “ is not only the theme of this conference but also an active response to the green and intelligent transformation of the shipping industry. More importantly, it marks a solemn declaration of progress in constructing the marine power industry chain. To achieve high-quality and sustainable development, enterprises must collaborate across the entire industry chain. Upholding principles of openness, cooperation, and shared development, industry, academia, research, and government must work together to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovations, aligning innovation chains with industrial chains and empowering value chains.
At the conference, Li Xiang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines, announced the establishment of the “Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines (Zhejiang) Innovation Center”, headquartered at CSI Group in Ningbo. The center aims to address industry development needs, integrate high-quality technological innovation resources, promote deep industry-academia-government-research collaboration, and create a cooperative innovation ecosystem. It will offer various technological services, including research and development, technology transfer, and talent cultivation, to empower enterprises and drive industrial progress.
During the event, the launch ceremony of Zhejiang Province’s 2025 “Pioneer” Science and Technology Plan Project – Key Technologies Research and Demonstration of Methanol Marine Engines was held. The “Pioneer” plan is Zhejiang’s highest-level major science and technology initiative, aimed at solving “critical bottleneck” problems and ensuring industrial and supply chain security by tackling key technologies, strengthening independent innovation, and supporting the development of Zhejiang as a high-level innovative province. The project is led by Ningbo C.S.I. Power & Machinery Group Research Institute in collaboration with Zhejiang University, Ningbo C.S.I. Power & Machinery Group Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Green Intelligent Mobility Technology Co., Ltd., Hefei Zhonghai Blue-Navi Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Alcohol-Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd., and Baima Lake Laboratory. The project focuses on breaking through core technologies related to high methanol substitution rates, developing high-power methanol micro-ignition engines and small pure methanol engines, and demonstrating methanol applications in marine engines to support the green transition of ship power systems.
Innovation in the industrial chain requires close cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises as well as deep industry-academia-research integration. During the conference, several key industry chain strategic cooperation agreements were signed, including:
- A 54MW all-electric propulsion antarctic research vessel power system project
- A 16MW power system project for a 9,000m³ trailing suction hopper dredger
- A 20,000-ton river-sea direct new energy vessel power system project
- A methanol power system project for a 110-meter-long Yangtze River hazardous chemical transport vessel
Additionally, strategic supply chain agreements were signed with enterprises such as Riyue Heavy Industry, Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery, Ganzhou Power Equipment, and CRRC Ziyang Co.,Ltd. Cooperation agreements between industry and academia were also signed with Zhejiang University, Ningbo University, Baima Lake Laboratory, and Ningbo Second Technician College, further deepening strategic collaboration in technology innovation, industry chain integration, talent cultivation, and industrial upgrading.
The conference featured multiple sub-forums. At the “Pioneer” Project Launch Meeting, experts such as Li Shusheng, Wu Jie, Yu Xiaoli, and Wu Feng, along with project leaders from participating organizations, discussed project planning and assigned tasks for the next phase. At the New Energy Technology Exchange Meeting, nearly 40 customer representatives, design institutes, and China Classification Society (CCS) experts shared insights into the application of new energy technologies in marine power.
At the Supply Chain Integration and Development Forum, Chen Xiongfei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of CSI Group, delivered a welcome speech, while Lou Hua, Vice General Manager of CSI Group and General Manager of the CSI Power, gave a keynote address. The forum recognized eight core suppliers and twelve outstanding suppliers for 2024, with representatives from Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery and other suppliers sharing their experiences. Dr.He Haibin, Chief Engineer of CSI Power and Director of Ningbo C.S.I. Power & Machinery Group Research Institute, introduced new products and technology developments, while Wu Yinsong from China Classification Society Zhejiang Branch provided an industry analysis on “Leading with Innovation, Thriving through Synergy”.
In the Industry-Academia-Research-Government Collaborative Innovation Roundtable Discussion, six distinguished guests, including Deng Fudong (General Manager of Chongqing Qianfeng Shipping Company), Wang Qingzhou (Chairman of Acceleron (China) Investment Limited.), Li Shusheng (Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines), Chen Hang (Deputy Director of the Product Division of China Classification Society Zhejiang Branch), Xie Yuanwen (Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Director of CSSC Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co., Ltd.), and Dr.Wang Lei (General Manager of Ningbo C.S.I. Trading Co., Ltd.), exchanged views on topics such as new energy technology, industrial transformation, green development, independent research and development, and global strategy, proposing innovative solutions for green energy and industrial chain synergy.
At the closing ceremony, Wu Jie presented the “Proposal for Deepening Industry-Academia-Research Integration to Promote the Green, Secure, and Sustainable Development of the Marine Industrial Chain,” which resonated with attendees and was unanimously adopted.
This conference was strongly supported by the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines, China Classification Society Zhejiang Branch, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Technology, Ningbo University, Baima Lake Laboratory, the Ningbo Municipal Government, and the Jiangbei District Government.