Dongtou District has unveiled ambitious plans to drive exponential growth in its marine economy, aiming to exceed 2.6 billion yuan in annual marine fishery output, raise marine tourism’s contribution to GDP above 8%, secure over 3.5 billion yuan in major marine project investments, and position itself as a key hub in Zhejiang’s national marine economy pilot zone. These targets were announced at a recent conference on marine economy innovation and development.

In recent years, Dongtou has prioritized marine economy development under provincial and municipal strategies, focusing on fostering new quality productive forces, strengthening port infrastructure, and advancing critical projects. The district released two guiding documents at the conference: the 2025 Dongtou Marine Economy Work Plan and the Three-Year Action Plan for Integrating Sci-Tech Innovation with Industrial Innovation, outlining pathways for high-quality marine growth.

This year, Dongtou will adopt a dual strategy of “nurturing emerging industries” and “upgrading traditional sectors” to boost marine productivity.

Emerging Industries: Accelerate the Zhejiang (East China) Deep-Sea Wind Power Hub, commence the Zhuangyuan’ao Zones C & D Mineral Land Utilization Project, and advance the Dongtou No. 2 Offshore Wind Farm, aiming to double new energy investments and boost industrial output. Cultivate new materials industries, attract upstream/downstream enterprises, and explore plans for a “Comprehensive Energy Island” to develop green power supply chains. Expand the Chengyi Pharmaceutical Health Industrial Park, with plans for a high-end rehabilitation hospital and medical college to bolster the life sciences sector.

Traditional Industries: Implement five key initiatives to elevate tourism branding, attract projects, and enhance services, transforming Dongtou into an international eco-tourism destination. Establish a national coastal fishing port economic zone and a fishery trade hub. Scale up the “Large Yellow Croaker” industry, break ground on a croaker-themed cultural center, and pilot integrated laver farming-production-marketing systems.

Transportation & Logistics: Advance the Ningbo-Dongguan Expressway Dongtou Branch and S325 Provincial Highway projects, initiate preparatory work for the Zhuangyuan’ao Port Railway, and operationalize Zhuangyuan’ao Phase II to strengthen regional connectivity. Expand near-sea shipping networks, add two foreign trade routes, and upgrade cruise ship shore power systems at Berth 7. Launch a new energy used vehicle export base, target breakthroughs in “new three” industries (EVs, batteries, renewables), and aim for 1 million TEUs in container throughput and 15% growth in import-export volume.

Eco-Sustainability: Combat marine plastic pollution through the “Blue Sea Station” initiative and create a “zero-waste bay” model. Develop blue carbon projects, promote mangrove understory economies, and pioneer eco-friendly crab/fish farming techniques to establish replicable mangrove habitat standards. Build a national marine ecological conservation and disaster mitigation demonstration base, balancing ecological health with economic gains.