Ningbo Maritime Bureau and Ningbo University signed a strategic cooperation agreement

On September 4, the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration and Ningbo University signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ningbo. According to the agreement, the two parties will establish a regular joint meeting mechanism, focusing on areas such as maritime traffic safety, green intelligent ships, maritime digitalization, international compliance, and talent cultivation. They will carry out comprehensive and in-depth cooperation to jointly serve the development of Ningbo as a modern coastal metropolis and a global hub port.

Currently, the global shipping industry is undergoing a technological transformation centered on green and intelligent advancements. The International Maritime Organization's greenhouse gas reduction strategy is being implemented at an accelerated pace, and breakthroughs in autonomous navigation technology for intelligent ships are continuously being made. These developments pose new requirements for the knowledge structure of shipping professionals and the service capabilities of regulatory agencies. This cooperation is a pragmatic response to the demand for high-quality development in the port and shipping industry under this industry backdrop.

According to the agreement, the two parties will collaborate deeply to break down barriers between "laboratories" and "real-world scenarios" in the field of scientific and technological research, promoting the technical validation of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data at Ningbo Zhoushan Port. In terms of international compliance, the two parties will jointly conduct research on international maritime regulations and draft proposals to enhance China's voice in the international maritime field. In talent cultivation, the two parties will rely on the development alliance platform for intelligent ships, integrating "government guidance—university education—enterprise training—industry certification" into a full-chain talent cultivation loop. At the same time, they will work together to help Ningbo become the "city where seafarers feel the happiest," retaining talent through career opportunities and environment, ensuring that the growth of shipping professionals aligns with the city's development.

Wang Xiaomin, Director of the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration, pointed out that building a world-class strong port requires not only "hard power" such as port throughput but also "soft power" driven by technological innovation and intellectual talent. Ningbo Maritime has accumulated a wealth of practical cases, scenario data, and industry resources through its frontline service and support. Ningbo University possesses a systematic research framework, experimental conditions, and disciplinary advantages. Using this agreement as an opportunity, the two parties will leverage their respective strengths to transform them into tangible cooperation results and outcomes. Zhang Ruili, Party Secretary of Ningbo University, stated that the university will fully utilize its advantages in marine-related disciplines and research expertise to precisely align with the cutting-edge needs of the industry, promoting the application of more research outcomes at the frontlines of port operations.

This cooperation is an important measure to implement the strategies of building a strong transportation and maritime nation. Using this agreement as a new starting point, the two parties will accelerate the construction of a new development framework deeply integrating "government, industry, academia, research, and application." They aim to promote mutual advancement between maritime service support practices and university teaching and research, continuously improving the quality of maritime talent cultivation and research innovation capabilities, thereby contributing greater strength to the high-quality development of the shipping industry and the construction of Ningbo Zhoushan Port as a world-class strong port.