From January 16 to 17, Harbin Engineering University hosted a seminar focused on frontier issues in underwater equipment safety within the maritime industry. The event brought together over 200 experts and scholars from more than 30 institutions in the marine sector and related industries. Participants discussed the latest developments, national priorities, and theoretical advancements in underwater equipment safety. University President SONG Yingdong attended the seminar and delivered the opening speech, while Vice President ZHAO Yuxin presided over the event.

The seminar was organized by Harbin Engineering University and guided by the Marine Engineering Division of the Engineering and Materials Science Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Notable online participants included:

• Professor WANG Qidong, Executive Deputy Director of the Engineering and Materials Science Department at NSFC;
• Academician QIU Zhiming, Chinese Academy of Engineering;
• Academician LI Huajun, Chinese Academy of Engineering;
• Professor JI Chunyan, President of Jiangsu University of Science and Technology;
• Researcher WANG Junli, Secretary-General of the China Shipbuilding Engineering Society;
• HUANG Qiang, Deputy Party Secretary of the Jiujiang Municipal Committee, Jiangxi Province;
• HONG Bixia, Party Secretary of the Wuning County Committee, Jiangxi Province;
• Professor LIU Junpeng, Director of the Marine Engineering Division at NSFC.

In his opening speech, SONG Yingdong emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between institutions in the maritime sector. He expressed hope that the seminar would help generate original, high-impact research to support the high-quality development of foundational disciplines related to underwater equipment safety. He also underscored the need to contribute to China's goal of achieving self-reliance in advanced underwater equipment technologies.

WANG Junli highlighted the growing significance of high-end underwater equipment for exploring and developing the ocean, particularly in resource exploration and marine environmental monitoring. He called for greater collaboration among maritime institutions to accelerate advancements in underwater equipment safety technologies.

Academician LI Huajun stressed that the seminar addressed critical national needs and industry challenges, focusing on the safety of key underwater equipment in the maritime sector. He encouraged participants to engage in deep discussions, explore new directions, and achieve breakthroughs to improve underwater equipment safety, which is vital for marine development and national defense.

Professor LIU Junpeng urged participants to align their efforts with national priorities and the evolving economic and social landscape, aiming to contribute to the high-quality development of underwater equipment.

HUANG Qiang and HONG Bixia welcomed the experts and pledged to strengthen support for research platform development, ensuring that necessary resources are provided for future work.

The seminar included keynote presentations by eight distinguished experts, including Academicians QIU Zhiming and LI Huajun, as well as five young scholars. Topics discussed included the development of intelligent technologies for marine unmanned systems, innovations in underwater technology and industrial chains, and research on health monitoring and safety assessment technologies for underwater unmanned systems. These reports shed light on critical issues and the latest advancements in underwater equipment safety in the maritime industry.