The future of the maritime industry hinges on the development of green and intelligent maritime equipment, according to experts at the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2025, held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. The event, themed ‘Setting Sail Towards Green Development,’ emphasized the critical role of technological innovation in driving the maritime sector’s low-carbon transformation and sustainable growth. Yu Qing, Deputy Director of the Marine Technology Innovation Center-Yangtze Delta, highlighted that green and intelligent maritime equipment is essential for reducing emissions and energy consumption, which are significant challenges in the industry. Liu Feng, Chairman of Fujian Baofan New Energy Technology, pointed out the limitations of traditional diesel-powered vessels and the potential of electric and hybrid solutions, such as the company’s methanol-lithium battery hybrid fishing vessel, which combines efficiency, low costs, and rapid energy replenishment. International cooperation was also underscored as a key driver for decarbonization and intelligent upgrades in global shipping systems. Lou Luobing, Business Director of RINA’s Greater China and Vietnam regional branch, emphasized the complementary strengths of China and Italy in advancing maritime technology. Additionally, Lin Jian, a member of the European Academy of Sciences, stressed the importance of deep-sea engineering and the opportunities in unmanned maritime exploration equipment. The conference showcased China’s leadership in intelligent unmanned vessel technology, with products from Zhuhai Yunzhou Intelligence Technology being exported to over 50 countries, demonstrating advanced capabilities in autonomous navigation and cooperative control.