Joining Forces for New Marine Infrastructure: Highlander, Ocean University of China and China Mobile Shandong Marine AI Lab Hold Cooperation Exchange-Highlander

2026-10-10

Joining Forces for New Marine Infrastructure: Highlander, Ocean University of China and China Mobile Shandong Marine AI Lab Hold Cooperation Exchange

Recently, Highlander, Ocean University of China (OUC) and the China Mobile Shandong Marine Artificial Intelligence Laboratory convened a dedicated exchange session. The parties held in-depth discussions on industry–academia–research collaboration for new marine infrastructure and on related projects in Qingdao, and explored multi-dimensional avenues of cooperation. Academician Li Huajun attended the session and delivered remarks.

At the meeting, the parties focused their exchange on subsea data centers and the development of the computing power industry. Drawing on natural seawater cooling, subsea data centers deliver low PUE and a high share of green power while sharply reducing land and freshwater consumption, effectively easing the constraints faced by coastal cities — scarce land-based computing capacity quotas and insufficient green power supply. The innovative business model that integrates offshore wind power with computing power holds outstanding industrial value and commercialization potential.

The concept of the "Second Maritime Stereoscopic Observation Network" project was shared at the meeting. By mounting sensing equipment on existing offshore wind turbine platforms, the project requires no new tower foundations while extending monitoring capability into the open sea. Phase one plans for 200 sites, with a pilot to be launched in Qingdao. OUC contributes its strengths in marine science disciplines, academician-led teams and resources for national-level research program applications, while the China Mobile Shandong Marine Artificial Intelligence Laboratory focuses on maritime 6G communications, marine computing power and marine intelligence, and is building a national-level marine computing service system.

The three parties exchanged views on industry–academia–research coordination, national-level research program applications and alignment with local policies. They discussed pathways for follow-up collaboration and explored cooperation opportunities in marine computing power and maritime sensing, working jointly to advance new quality productive forces for the ocean.

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