Shanghai has unveiled a three-year implementation plan (2025-27) to transform Changxing Island into a world-class modern shipbuilding hub, aligning with China's national strategies for strengthening its manufacturing and maritime sectors.

The plan aims to develop global capabilities in high-end equipment manufacturing, core technology innovation, industrial chain resilience, flagship factories, and a dynamic innovation ecosystem. It outlines five strategic areas with 20 key tasks:

1. Developing world-class high-end equipment

• By 2027, output value from the island's shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment industry is expected to exceed 120 billion yuan ($16.71 billion), with high-tech vessels such as liquefied natural gas carriers and dual-fuel container ships accounting for 80 percent of production.

By 2027, the base aims to achieve global leadership in high-tech shipbuilding, with the capacity to build more than 15 mainstream vessel types worldwide.

• LNG carriers: Achieving an annual production capacity of 18 ultra-large LNG carriers.
• Cruise ships: Establishing a digital, green, and smart assembly base for large cruise ships.
• Port equipment: Developing port equipment systems with automation rates exceeding 95 percent to secure the top global market share.

2. Breaking through world-class core technologies

• Positioning Changxing Island as a global hub for core technology innovation and industry standard-setting. The plan calls for more than 10 new models of high-tech ships and marine engineering equipment, at least two national key laboratories, and one national pilot platform.
• Advancing critical materials such as marine-grade metals and insulation, along with key systems including integrated electric power and energy-saving devices.
• l Developing specialized vessels for operations, observation, icebreaking, and underwater work to ensure functionality and production capacity for specific scenarios.

3. Building a resilient world-class industrial chain

• The cluster will attract and nurture 100 key supporting enterprises, significantly enhancing the supporting capabilities for high-tech ships and marine engineering equipment.
• Upgrading the Changxing Marine Equipment Industrial Park.
• Applying artificial intelligence to ship and marine engineering equipment R&D, manufacturing, and operations.
• Driving collaboration across the shipbuilding and marine equipment sector in the Yangtze River Delta region.

4. Creating world-class flagship factories

• Building smart digital factories and advancing full 3D digital ship design platforms, along with applying digital twin systems for complex shipboard systems.

5. Fostering a world-class innovation ecosystem

• Introducing more than three leading international institutions and encouraging more than five quality enterprises to take part in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative.
• Advancing the metro town project along Metro Line 22, which will handle healthcare centers, commercial complexes, and community facilities to create a new type of industrial space and living community.
• Strengthening international exchanges by attracting key global maritime institutions and hosting high-level forums and exhibitions.

Source: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government