Gathering Deep Blue Wisdom to Explore New Industrial Opportunities: The 11th International Forum on Diving, Salvage and Offshore Engineering Technology Held in Qingdao

The 11th International Forum on Diving, Salvage and Offshore Engineering Technology kicked off on November 7 at Hall 1 of the Qingdao International Convention Center (Laoshan Venue). The forum gathered academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, executives of international industry organizations, experts from research institutions and universities, and representatives of leading enterprises. High-level dialogues were held focusing on marine engineering, underwater salvage, deep-sea development, and underwater safety and technological innovation, building an international platform for technical exchange and industrial collaboration in the global diving, salvage and offshore engineering sectors.

The forum was co-chaired by Mr. Wang Xiaoyong, Vice President of the Fourth Council of CDSA and Deputy Party Secretary of Dalian Maritime University, and Mr. Ma Yunxiang, Assistant General Manager and Director of the Market Development Department of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited. During the opening session, speeches were delivered successively by Ms. Chen Liping, Vice President and Secretary-General of CDSA; Mr. Wang Hongyong,

Deputy Director of the China MRCC and Deputy Director of the Emergency Response Office of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Song Baoru, former Party Secretary of Shanghai Maritime University; and Mr. Jiang Zhuo, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Transport planning and Research Institute Ministry of Transport. Based on China's water emergency rescue system construction and the opening-up of the marine industry, they elaborated on the contemporary proposition of coordinated industry development. Ms. Caroline Jupe, CEO of the IMRF, delivered an opening speech via video, conveying the vision for international organizational cooperation.

A major highlight of the forum was the diverse integration of high-end intellectual resources. The lineup of speakers covered domestic academician think tanks, senior domestic industry experts and multiple overseas authoritative institutions, balancing policy analysis, industrial practice, cutting-edge technology and international experience. Academicians Zhou Shouwei and Li Huajun of the Chinese Academy of Engineering shared their insights on the frontier directions of offshore oil development and marine engineering, respectively; Shan Chunchang, former Counselor of the State Council, and Song Jiahui, former Safety Director-General of the Ministry of Transport, analyzed the opportunities, risks and challenges faced by the diving and salvage industry from the perspectives of emergency management and the historical evolution of the industry.

International dialogue was a prominent feature of this forum. Several heavyweight overseas guests took the stage, including Iain Grainger, CEO of IMCA; David Campion, Senior Technical Advisor of the ITOPF; Rolf Rossland, CEO of the NUI AS; Darren Brenton of KBA Training Centre Pte Ltd in Singapore; and Lino Brognoli of Logiit. They shared overseas practical experience regarding global marine engineering operational standards, underwater intervention technology, marine pollution emergency response, and diving training system construction, breaking down information barriers between Chinese and foreign industries.

In the technical thematic speech session, experts from universities, research institutes, and the industrial frontline conducted in-depth sharing focused on specific niche tracks. The content covered practical topics such as underwater physiological medicine, intelligent manufacturing of underwater equipment, marine engineering project practices, and industry certification standard construction. It included both basic scientific research outputs and enterprise engineering implementation cases, connecting the "research-technology-industry" transformation chain and providing practical references for the intelligent and green upgrading of the diving, salvage and marine engineering industry. Representatives from Huadian Heavy Industries, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Qingdao Hanyu Shengyu Intelligent Manufacturing, and AsiaInfo (Shandong) Certification shared their industrial innovation achievements and practical reflections.

Numerous exhibiting enterprises and researchers attended and listened, creating a strong atmosphere of exchange where ideas collided and resources were matched. As an important carrier of the exhibition's theme "Intelligence in Deep Blue, Innovation for New Horizons," this forum not only reviewed the current development status of the industry but also looked ahead to future tracks such as deep-sea development, water emergency rescue, and underwater intelligent equipment. It further promoted the deep integration of the industrial chain, innovation chain, and supply chain in China's diving, salvage and marine engineering sectors, empowering the high-quality development of the marine economy.