Shipyard in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province has advanced to 41st place globally among 60 maritime cities, marking a steady two-position rise from its 2025 ranking, as reported in the Global Maritime City Competitiveness Index Report (2026).

Released by the Institute for Sustainable Development and Marine Economy of the China Development Institute (Shenzhen) on June 5, the report evaluates 60 representative maritime cities worldwide across five key dimensions: economic and trade vitality, technological innovation, maritime services, international influence, and urban governance. It highlights each city's development strengths, weaknesses, and growth potential.

Capitalizing on its strategic location at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Yellow Sea, Nantong has continued to prioritize the marine economy, making it the province's leading coastal city in overall marine economic strength.

Nantong's high-end marine equipment industry boasts a robust foundation. In 2025, the city's shipbuilding and marine engineering industry output reached 221.2 billion yuan ($32.63 billion), with these sectors capturing one-eighth and one-third of the national market, respectively.

In addition, the city is experiencing a surge in its offshore new energy industry, fostering new advantages in green development. In 2025, Nantong's new energy industry was valued at 211.6 billion yuan, with installed renewable energy power generation capacity reaching 17.72 million kilowatts.