The Tongying Marine Special Materials Project commenced construction in the Haimen Economic and Technological Development Zone on March 29, which is expected to further propel the local high-tech shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment manufacturing industry. 

The project is invested in by Tongying (Nantong) Machinery Manufacturing, with a total investment of 500 million yuan ($72.36 million) and a total area of 50 mu (3.33 hectares). The project is poised to focus on intelligent and green development, with main products including specialized marine materials and high-speed rail components. 

The project also plans to collaborate with the China Academy of Railway Sciences to develop anti-corrosion specialized equipment and to venture into the manufacturing of high-speed rail castings.

Tongying (Nantong) Machinery Manufacturing holds numerous authoritative certifications from major classification societies and serves a clientele that includes well-known domestic and international enterprises. 

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Ji Zhonghua, chairman of Tongying (Nantong) Machinery Manufacturing, said that Haimen's distinct locational advantage, solid industrial foundation and excellent business environment provide strong support for enterprise development. The company aims to ensure the project is completed and put into production within the year to drive local economic and social development. 

The high-tech shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment industry is a crucial part of the national advanced manufacturing industrial cluster. Haimen has attracted a number of enterprises, including China Merchants Heavy Industry, China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry and Haixun Heavy Industry, all of which are strengthening and improving the high-tech shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment manufacturing industry.