On October 11, during research on the inland river shipbuilding industry in Huanggang City and Wuhan City, it was emphasized that we must thoroughly implement the important directives from the inspection of Hubei, grasp global trends in port and shipping economy development, particularly the evolving supply-demand dynamics in the inland river shipbuilding sector. Building on Hubei’s unique resource advantages—especially its rivers, lakes, reservoirs, transportation hubs, technological and educational strengths, industrial foundation, and market potential—we should accelerate the reshaping of a first-class domestic industrial ecosystem and more vigorously promote the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the province’s inland river shipbuilding industry.

At Hubei Hechuang Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. in Huanggang City, there was an in-depth understanding of the company’s production, operations, and business layout. Local authorities were urged to strengthen the coordination of upstream and downstream industries, enhance local supporting capabilities for ship manufacturing through supplementing, extending, and strengthening industrial chains, promote cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and innovation across the industry, and accelerate the creation of a pilot zone for the transformation and upgrading of inland river ship manufacturing. At the Waterway Intelligent Equipment Research and Testing Laboratory of Wuhan University of Technology, there were extensive exchanges with researchers, with full affirmation given to the proactive exploration of collaborative innovation through «industry-university-research-finance-application» to advance the research, design, and application of green intelligent ships. Wuhan City was called upon to leverage its first-class scientific innovation resources and industrial foundation, combining recruitment and cultivation to rapidly gather more leading enterprises in ship design, manufacturing, and operation. At the China Shipbuilding Group 712th Research Institute, there was a briefing on the development of ship electric propulsion systems. The enterprise was encouraged to seize global trends in the transformation of the shipbuilding industry, accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies such as hydrogen energy and fuel cells, and make new and greater contributions to promoting the transformation and development of China’s inland river shipbuilding industry.

During the symposium, work reports from relevant provincial departments and suggestions from representatives of research institutions, operating enterprises, and management agencies were heard. It was pointed out that Hubei possesses unique inland river shoreline resources such as the Yangtze River and Han River, and is known as the «Province of a Thousand Lakes.» We should adhere to the age-old development concept of «utilizing local resources,» keenly perceive global trends in port and shipping economy development, especially the evolving supply-demand dynamics in the inland river shipbuilding sector, accurately grasp the direction of global shipbuilding industry transformation, and follow the dual logic of «new demand driving new supply, new supply creating new demand.» We must accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the province’s inland river shipbuilding industry toward «green, intelligent, standardized, high-end, and international» development, better respond to new requirements for inland river vessels in domestic and international «inland river passenger and freight transport, water sports and leisure, rail-water-river-sea intermodal transport, and safety, environmental protection, and comfort» in the new era, better promote the high-quality development of the modern port and shipping economy, and lead the cultivation of a trillion-scale green «water economy.»

It was emphasized that we must adhere to the integration of «industrial chain, innovation chain, talent chain, capital chain, and service chain,» and implement four measures simultaneously: «restructuring innovation policies, optimizing innovation platforms, fostering an innovation atmosphere, and enhancing innovation services.» This will reshape a first-class domestic industrial ecosystem and provide fundamental guarantees for the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the province’s inland river shipbuilding industry. First, restructure innovation policies by comprehensively reviewing and optimizing various guiding policies that support industrial transformation and development, focusing on promoting efficient utilization of shoreline resources, improving supporting infrastructure,健全ing technical specifications and standard systems, and expanding application scenarios for green intelligent ships, following the principle of «strengthening weaknesses, supplementing deficiencies, and correcting errors.» Second, optimize innovation platforms by building a high-level system of technology research and development, achievement transformation, and industrial cultivation platforms to provide strong support for the integrated development of technological innovation and industrial innovation. Third, foster an innovation atmosphere by organizing high-level innovation forums, professional exhibitions, innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, and industrial ecosystem cooperation conferences to create a strong atmosphere for promoting industrial innovation and development. Fourth, enhance innovation services by continuously improving service systems for talent保障, financial support, supply-demand对接, and modern logistics, especially innovating financial services such as export credit, financing leases, and venture production investment, to provide more powerful and effective financial support for the transformation and upgrading of the inland river shipbuilding industry.

All regions, relevant departments, and units across the province were called upon to strengthen vertical coordination and horizontal collaboration, establish cross-departmental coordination and promotion mechanisms, efficiently integrate resources across the entire region, enhance overall work efficiency, strive to shape Hubei’s first

Huanggang City

Huanggang City is a prefecture-level city in eastern Hubei Province, China, situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. Historically, it was known as a key educational and cultural center, famously home to the Dongpo Red Cliff, a site associated with the renowned Song Dynasty poet Su Shi. In recent history, it gained wider recognition for its swift construction of a specialized hospital to combat the initial COVID-19 outbreak.

Wuhan City

Wuhan is a major city in central China, formed in 1927 from the merger of three ancient towns: Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang. Historically, it has been a key transportation hub and was the site of the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a modern metropolis known for its universities, research institutions, and its location on the Yangtze River.

Hubei

Hubei is a central Chinese province with a rich history as part of the ancient Chu state. It is famously home to the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River and the well-preserved Yellow Crane Pavilion in its capital, Wuhan. The province also gained significant archaeological fame with the discovery of the Zenghouyi Tomb and its exquisite bronze artifacts.

Hubei Hechuang Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.

Hubei Hechuang Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturing company specializing in heavy machinery and equipment. While specific historical details are limited in public records, it represents a modern enterprise within Hubei province’s industrial sector, contributing to regional economic development through its production capabilities.

Wuhan University of Technology

Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) was formed in 2000 through the merger of three distinct universities, each with their own long histories dating back to the 1940s. It is a key national «Double First-Class» university renowned for its programs in materials science, engineering, and transportation. The university plays a significant role in China’s industrial and technological research and development.

China Shipbuilding Group 712th Research Institute

The China Shipbuilding Group 712th Research Institute is a key national research institution specializing in the development of advanced marine power systems and electrical technologies. Established in the 1960s, it has played a vital role in China’s naval and commercial shipbuilding industry, focusing on innovations in electric propulsion and integrated power systems. The institute’s work is crucial for enhancing the technological capabilities and self-reliance of China’s maritime sector.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human settlement dating back thousands of years. It has been a vital artery for transportation, irrigation, and economic development throughout China’s history. Today, it remains critically important, with modern engineering marvels like the Three Gorges Dam built along its course.

Han River

The Han River is a major river in South Korea that flows through the capital, Seoul, dividing the city into its northern and southern halves. Historically, it has been a vital lifeline for transportation, agriculture, and trade for centuries. Today, it is a central public space for recreation, famous for its parks, bike paths, and stunning city skyline views.