Dalian boasts the longest history of building ships for exports and one of the most important shipbuilding bases in China. Shipbuilding industry has become the mainstay industry of Dalian and Liaoning alike after the strategy of revitalizing old industrial bases in northeastern China was put forward. As more than 50,000 products and 50 industries, such as steel, nonferrous metals, electricity and chemical engineering are involved in the shipbuilding industry, it brings many opportunities for the development of the local manufacturing industry and service sectors.
The rapid development of the shipbuilding industry entails a near complete shipbuilding industry chain in Dalian, including scientific design, production, supporting facilities production and repair. After technical improvements, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp, Dalian Marine Diesel Engine Corp, Dalian Marine Propeller Corp and Dalian Marine Valve Corp have mastered the method of building ships in sections and have developed many advanced products, such as the large marine diesel engine, VLCC supertanker, large container vessel, large speed ro-ro ship and large marine equipment.
Under the support of the central government, Dalian will improve its shipbuilding capabilities, increase technology content and the ratio of medium and high-grade ships to become more competitive internationally. By focusing on high-end products, such as mammoth tanker, the fifth container vessel, offshore drilling unit, floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), and large speed ro-ro ship, which requires a high technology content, Dalian intends to become the main shipbuilding base in China on a world-advanced level. During the 11th Five-Year Plan Period (2006-10), the shipbuilding capability of Dalian reached 7.3 million tons. By 2020, Dalian's shipbuilding capability will reach 10 million tons by making the most of coastline resources and developing new industrial bases.