Ningbo, East China's historic trading hub and home to the world's largest port by cargo throughput, is redefining its marine economy. Boasting over 1,600 km of coastline, 600+ islands, and more than 8,300 km² of sea area, the city leverages these assets to modernize fisheries, expand clean energy, and strengthen global manufacturing clusters.

At the forefront is Donghai No. 1, Zhejiang's first deep-sea semi-submersible aquaculture platform. Covering six basketball courts and rising seven stories, the platform produces 400 tons of yellow croakers annually, valued at 40 million yuan ($5.8 million). Smart monitoring of water quality and fish health stabilizes production and transforms fishermen's livelihoods. For 53-year-old Zhou Huiming, it marked a shift from unpredictable traditional fishing to a high-tech, safer career.

Land-based salmon farming underscores Ningbo's embrace of international cooperation. Nordic Aqua (Ningbo), Asia's first large-scale land-based salmon project, will reach 8,000 tons annually by 2027, with plans to expand to 20,000 tons. Government support, infrastructure, and local talent have been key to scaling production for China's growing seafood demand.

Beyond aquaculture, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port handled 1.4 billion tons of cargo in 2025, maintaining 17 consecutive years as the world's top port by total cargo. Manufacturing complements this maritime strength: Ningbo hosts 119 nationally recognized “single champion” enterprises. Ningbo C.S.I. Power & Machinery, founded in 1900, supplies power stations and ship machinery across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, exemplifying how marine-connected industries expand globally.

A new deep-sea wind power cluster in Xiangshan county will integrate assembly, component production, R&D, and operations, with 2 million kilowatts of annual output expected by late 2027. By situating production at the port, transport efficiency improves for offshore and export projects, while contributing to China's carbon peak and clean energy goals.

In 2024, Ningbo's marine economy reached nearly 280 billion yuan, 15.2% of city GDP. The city illustrates China's broader strategy: promoting high-quality marine development, prioritizing efficiency, innovation, and sustainability over scale. Ningbo's integration of technology, international cooperation, and industrial clusters demonstrates how the marine sector can drive modernization, industrial upgrading, and global competitiveness.