Christoph Bultemann (left) poses for a photo. [Photo/National Innovation Center par Excellence]

Based in Cologne, Germany, researcher Christoph Bultemann has set his sights on Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. His "ship stern shaft bearing intelligent maintenance system (SMS)", developed over many years, is now on a fast track to commercialization, thanks to the support of the National Innovation Center par Excellence (NICE).

This cross-border journey to realize his dreams began with the second NICE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. In 2025, NICE, headquartered in Shanghai, extended a global invitation for participation, and Christoph at once signed up.

"I've participated in many technology competitions, but most focus on isolated, specific technical issues," he said. "The NICE competition is the first truly aimed at industrialization." He was particularly drawn to the industrial advantages of the Yangtze River Delta region, which he described as "the world's largest shipbuilding base, offering the ideal scenarios and market groups we need".

Unlike typical competitions, NICE's event emphasizes fostering innovation through contests and promoting the transformation of results, requiring participants to submit business plans. This posed a challenge for Christoph, who is a technical expert.

At this critical juncture, the center provided invaluable support: helping him structure a clear business plan and logical project framework; offering expert feedback that clarified China's market demands and industrialization path; connecting him directly with Chinese customers during due diligence to identify frontline technical needs with precision.

This collaborative effort paid off. Christoph's SMS project navigated the competition, securing the Gold Award in the Overseas Special Session. Later last year, NICE's Marine Technology Innovation Center in Haimen, Nantong, took on the project's initiation, technology refinement, and implementation. "Starting here means connecting seamlessly with the entire shipbuilding and offshore engineering ecosystem, reaching numerous shipbuilding companies and research institutions," Christoph said.

Currently, the system has completed the development of its initial model and laboratory verification. Plans are underway to continue iterating the technology and steadily advance real-ship trials. After obtaining China Classification Society type approval, it will gradually progress toward industrial application. "I hope to get the product onboard ships as soon as possible, expand to shipowner clients, and let German technology truly serve the YRD shipping industry," Christoph said.