Ningbo ranks 7th nationally in marine economy competitiveness

A container ship arrives at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo, a vibrant port city on China's eastern coast, ranked 7th among 54 cities in the latest China Marine Economy City Competitiveness Report, reflecting the growing strength of its maritime industries.

The report, issued by Guangdong CCID Consulting, evaluated cities in terms of their economic strength, innovation, ecological governance and international cooperation in the maritime sector.

Ningbo's global standing is anchored by Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, which ranks first worldwide in cargo throughput and third in container volume.

The port connects over 600 ports in 200 countries and it secured 8th place in the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic Shipping Center Development Index.

In the first quarter of 2025, the value of Ningbo's maritime economic output hit 70.58 billion yuan ($9.81 billion), a hefty 10.98 percent year-on-year increase.

The performance was powered by innovative ventures like Asia's first land-based salmon farm using recirculating aquaculture technology and Zhejiang's pioneering offshore aquaculture platform, the "Donghai No 1".

The city also excelled in marine ecological efforts, with 100 percent compliance in water quality of class III or above at city-monitored sea outlets and national recognition for wetland and bay restoration projects.

Overall, Ningbo is building international ties through events like the Asian Conference on Marine Tourism and Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum.

Meanwhile, major initiatives — such as the National Marine Test Site and marine innovation centers — are aiming to strengthen R&D and to close remaining gaps in scientific capacity.