Zhang Yu JeniZhang13@163.com WITH unique marine resources and geographical advantages, Shenzhen has been the host of the China Marine Economy Expo (CMEE), the country’s only State-level marine economy exhibition, since 2019. The expo, which gathers global companies to display developments in maritime industries and facilitates technology exchanges and trade negotiations, has quickly become an important platform for Shenzhen in building a global marine center. While the “main course” is undoubtedly an eye-opener, the Shenzhen International Marine Week makes a delectable “side dish” for visitors to revel in the “ocean feast,” integrating the marine economy and maritime culture. Showtime for marine tech Every year, CMEE is a grand showcase of smart technologies and products in the global maritime sector. China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), China’s largest offshore oil and gas producer, has been flexing its tech muscles that represent the country’s highest level of ocean petroleum technology at CMEE since the expo’s inception. At this year’s CMEE, which ran from Nov. 23 to 25, CNOOC showcased its Deep Sea No.1 gas operation platform, Asia’s first deepwater jacket platform Haiji-1, the Xuanji system — a rotary steerable drilling and logging-while-drilling system for efficient exploration of offshore oil and gas — and Offshore Oil 720, a large deepwater geophysical exploration vessel. At the company’s booth, the carbon dioxide capture and injection compressor pry and carbon dioxide reinjection model of CNOOC’s Enping 15-1 project attracted the attention of many visitors. “This is China’s first offshore carbon dioxide demonstration project, which can achieve permanent carbon dioxide storage generated during oil extraction,” Liang Wei, general manager of the science and technology development department of CNOOC Shenzhen Branch, said. Liu Yong’an, deputy general manager of the shared services branch of CNOOC, said CNOOC Shenzhen Ocean Engineering Technology Service Co. Ltd. has reaped benefits from Shenzhen’s high-tech enterprises, which have stimulated the potential for technological innovation among its employees. Since CMEE’s first edition in 2019, it has seen the release of over 1,000 new technologies and products, attracting approximately 1,500 global exhibitors and 750 distinguished guests from more than 20 countries and regions to deliver speeches. Recognition from foreign friends A total of 658 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions participated in this year’s CMEE, up by 60% year on year. The number of overseas exhibitors surpassed 100 for the first time in the expo’s history. “I find it quite impressive. I’ve never been to this expo before. It’s interesting to see the dynamic and prosperous modern economy in Shenzhen,” Thorir Ibsen, Icelandic ambassador to China, told Shenzhen Daily in a visit to this year’ expo. “This is a very important venue. We have several Norwegian companies who are attending, and they all tell me that CMEE is a very useful venue for them to take part in,” Signe Brudeset, Norwegian ambassador to China, said. Norwegian enterprise Kongsberg, an old friend of CMEE, didn’t hesitate to attend the expo again after receiving the invitation. “China is a major shipbuilding country with the world’s largest annual order volume. There is also a strong demand for digital transformation, and 50% of our new orders come from China,” Shane McArdle, CEO of Kongsberg Digital, said. McArdle was also invited to give a speech at the expo’s Global Marine Center City Forum, sharing his insights with the audience. Well-positioned for development Shenzhen’s marine economy has developed rapidly in recent years, picking up the pace to become a global marine center city. Official statistics showed that Shenzhen has nearly 30,000 ocean-related enterprises and Shenzhen Port’s container throughput ranks fourth worldwide. According to an action plan for 2020-2025 released by the city’s planning and natural resources bureau, Shenzhen will propel the planning and construction of 63 demonstrative marine projects in its latest effort to build the city into a global marine center. The Shenzhen Ocean Development Plan (2023-2035), released earlier this year, provides a phased goal landscape for the development of Shenzhen’s maritime industry. “The structure of Shenzhen’s marine economy has undergone significant changes. Next, Shenzhen should seize the opportunities to improve the marine science and technology innovation ecosystem, cultivate new driving forces for emerging marine industries, and promote the upgrading of the maritime industry,” Hu Zhenyu, vice president of Qianhai Branch of China Development Institute, said. | 