China's marine economy records remarkable achievement in H1

(ECNS)-- China's marine economy expanded steadily in the first half of the year, with a gross output of 4.9 trillion yuan ($678.55 billion), up 5.6 percent year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Natural Resources showed.

China continues to lead the global shipbuilding industry. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), in the first half of this year, China completed shipbuilding projects totaling 25.02 million deadweight tons (DWT), a year-on-year increase of 18.4 percent.

New orders surged to 54.22 million DWT, a year-on-year growth of 43.9 percent. By the end of June, the order book stood at 171.55 million DWT, up 38.6 percent from the previous year.

In the first half of this year, the country's shipbuilding completions, new orders, and order book as measured by DWT accounted for 55 percent, 74.7 percent, and 58.9 percent of the global totals, respectively.

Behind this strength is China's continuously improving shipbuilding capabilities in R&D and design, particularly regarding green ship types. In the first half of the year, it launched a 64,500-metric-ton methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, which received international approval in principle by the International Association of Classification Societies.

These innovative ships powered by methanol, ammonia and hydrogen encompass all vessel types, setting a strong foundation for future orders for our shipbuilding companies, said Cui Xiaojian, deputy director of National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS) of MNR, to People’s Daily in an interview.

Guided by scientific and technological innovation, China is advancing marine science and related industries toward high-end technologies and deep-sea exploration. In marine fisheries, Haiying AI, a smart system for tuna fishing forecast, and Fanli 1.0 fishery large model were launched. In marine oil and gas, Huizhou 26-6, an offshore intelligent drilling platform, was installed. In marine exploration, Beidou smart water warning system was deployed. ... Oceanic application scenarios are evolving toward digitalization and intelligence, empowering new marine productive forces.

“Marine Eco-Environmental Protection in China” recently released by the State Council Information Office shows “China has always been committed to protecting the marine environment, dedicating its efforts to comprehending and managing the vast oceanic expanse. On the basis of ensuring ecological security, it has improved its efficiency in marine resource utilization and developed an eco-friendly marine economy to meet the people’s diverse needs of the sea. Through high-level eco-environmental protection, China strives to foster new impetus for and new advantages in its high-quality development”.

To form a maritime community of shared future, China has signed agreements with over 50 countries and international organizations, aligning with initiatives such as the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the "Ocean Decade". It welcomes collaboration, focusing on joint efforts and shared benefits to pursue a sustainable future for ocean development.