On October 22, the 2026 China Marine Economy Expo kicked off in Shenzhen, with digital intelligence taking center stage. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now comprehensively empowering the marine economy, transforming the entire upstream-downstream industrial chain—both above and below the water—with cutting-edge technologies and products. Highlights included intelligent route planning, autonomous ship navigation, and underwater embodied intelligence. Experts noted that the swift advancement of digital intelligence and AI is propelling the marine economy into a new era, one that places data as a foundational element and intelligence at its core.

The expo saw participation from a host of major central enterprises and leading companies. China Merchants Group and China Communications Construction Group showcased their latest innovations in smart shipping, marine engineering, and port operations. Meanwhile, tech giants like Huawei and Hikvision presented cross-border solutions, including large-scale marine models and offshore networking communications.