From June 9 to June 18, Vice President Yin Ming led a delegation to Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong, China. In Bangkok, Thailand, they attended the Shipping Greenhouse Gas Emission Data and National Action Plans Regional Workshop, hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The delegation also visited several institutions and organizations in these regions, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Kasetsart University in Thailand, Dubai Maritime City, Khalifa Port in the UAE, and the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Shipowners Association, and the Hong Kong Seamen’s Union. The visits focused on deepening cooperation in maritime technology and shipping talent development along the Belt and Road initiative, advancing global maritime education cooperation, and promoting overseas talent recruitment, aiming to enhance the school’s international influence in the maritime field.
The Shipping Greenhouse Gas Emission Data and National Action Plans Regional Workshop discussed topics such as Collection and Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Data and Development and Implementation of National Adaptation Plans: Best Practices and Challenges. During the Capacity Building for Seafarer Training session, Yin Ming delivered a keynote speech titled Training Seafarers for Competence in Using Alternative Fuels. He emphasized the importance of alternative fuels in the maritime industry and the necessity of seafarer training, analyzing the competence standards for seafarers in operating vessels using alternative fuels. He also introduced Shanghai Maritime University’s plans to contribute to the design of competence standards for seafarers using alternative fuels, developing related technical courses to train high-quality professionals for the industry. During the visit to APEC, Yin Ming had in-depth discussions with Ren Weimin, Director of the Transport Division, on how the university can further participate in relevant work related to maritime and shipping education. The delegation also met with Watchara Chiemanukulkit, Director of the International Cooperation Division at the Thailand Maritime Department, to exchange views on collaborating in IMO affairs, ASEAN maritime cooperation, and future maritime talent development.
At Kasetsart University, Vice President Sathaporn Chuepeng and Dean of the International Maritime Studies (IMS) Prachakon Kaewkhiaw warmly received the delegation. Both sides had in-depth discussions on academic development and program offerings. Yin Ming suggested that the two universities could promote substantial cooperation in areas such as student exchanges, faculty development and collaborative research. During the visit, the delegation toured the university's maritime simulators, engine room simulators, and wave tanks.
At Dubai Maritime City, the delegation held discussions with senior management, including Luke Roebuck, Director of Manpower Operations, and Juan Jose Baron, on issues related to port technology and management, smart port construction, green and low-carbon technology applications, and the talent demands in digitalized port and shipping sectors. Yin Ming stated that Shanghai Maritime University is willing to assist Dubai Maritime City in enhancing the scale and quality of shipping-related talent and furthering Dubai's position as the international shipping hub of the Middle East. At COSCO SHIPPING Ports Abu Dhabi Terminal (CSPADCFS), Director Chen Yuping and Deputy General Manager and Operations Director Ruan Guoliang warmly hosted the delegation. Yin Ming introduced the school’s developments in port and shipping management, port machinery technology, and applications, gaining insights into the talent needs of port and shipping enterprises and discussing the prospects for collaboration in talent development. During the visit, the delegation also visited the China Pavilion at the Dubai Expo, meeting with the person in charge, Jin Xiaomiao, to discuss the education and training needs for shipping talent in Dubai as an international shipping hub. Additionally, Yin Ming visited the Dubai alumni association to introduce the latest developments of the university and express hopes for alumni to inject new momentum into the China-Arab maritime cooperation.
At the University of Hong Kong, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Fu Hualing, introduced the development prospects of China Hong Kong's shipping industry, the cultivation model of legal professionals, and plans for offering maritime law degrees. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between both institutions. Yin Ming expressed satisfaction with the achievements in cultivating maritime law talent and suggested that both sides continue to expand student exchange programs, strengthen faculty exchanges, and add more cooperative disciplines. At Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the delegation had discussions with Associate Vice President Dong Cheng, Mike Lai Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support), Faculty of Business & Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics & Interim Head, as well as Associate Professor Tsz Leung Yip, on topics such as joint maritime talent cultivation, academic program development, faculty exchange, maritime science and technology project applications, and sharing academic resources. Yin Ming emphasized that both sides' long-term cooperation has yielded remarkable results, and further strengthening talent cultivation in maritime science and technology innovation, as well as in student internships and practice, would be beneficial. The delegation also had discussions with doctoral students from the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies. During their visit, the delegation attended a Hong Kong, China alumni association event, unveiling the Shanghai Maritime University Hong Kong Alumni House and holding in-depth discussions with leaders of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Hong Kong Seamen’s Union on the cooperation between Shanghai and Hong Kong, China in shipping, industry-education integration, and advanced seafarer training.
The Head of university’s International Office (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Affairs Office), International Education College, Human Resources Office, Academic Affairs Office and Shanghai International Shipping Research Center also attended the visit.
