To promote policies of offshore wind energy industry and the development of marine industries, the Kaohsiung Xingda Harbor has been chosen as the location for the “Marine Technology Innovation Center”. On March 20 (Friday), 2020, honorable guests, including Mr. Wen-Sheng Tseng, Deputy Minister of MOEA, Mr. Cheng-Wei Yu, Director of BOE, Mr. Shao-Lian Zhao, Director of Marine Bureau’s, Kaohsiung City Government, Mr. Chen-Yuan Gao, Deputy Director of Economic Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government, Mr. Ching-Hung Chen, Director from Legislator Chih-Wei Chiu’s office and a team of local councilors, Mr. Wu-Hsiung Lu, President of SingDa Marine Structure, Dr. Ren-Yi Lin, Chairman of MIRDC and Dr. Chiu-Feng Lin, President of MIRDC participated in the beam-raising ceremony at the Marine Technology Innovation Center and witnessed the beginning of a new milestone in offshore wind energy.

Mr. Wen-ShengTseng, Deputy Minister of MOEA, stated that on behalf of MOEA, he not only wished a smooth sailing for the project, but also emphasized that the MOEA had chosen Xingda Habor as the location for the Marine Technology Innovation Center, which in the hope of generating more employment opportunities, thereby, allowing local people to stay and work in the area. Special thanks were given to the Executive Yuan for support from the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and assistance from various Kaohsiung City departments involved in the project. He also stated that Legislator Chih-Wei Chiu and local representatives have kept a close eye on the implementation progress and future development of the center, and are demanding MIRDC to complete the project by the end of this year. If the project requires any assistance from the MOEA, it will provide full support. The deputy minister also pointed out that the plan of future business recruitment for the Marine Technology Innovation Center should be initiated early to attract businesses.

Mr. Shao-Lian Zhao, Director of Marine Bureau’s, Kaohsiung City Government, thanked the MOEA for its investment in the Kaohsiung Xingda Harbor and emphasized that Kaohsiung is an ocean city. Recently, many marine construction operators have come to Kaohsiung in the hope of using the offshore wind energy industry to improve their marine construction capability. Upon the completion of Marine Technology Innovation Center, including the SingDa Marine Structure and the three centers, Xingda Harbor will become an integrated port, instead of being an idle one. Kaohsiung City Government will render full administrative support and assistance for the harbor's dredging, urban re-zoning, and construction license issuing.

Dr. Ren-Yi Lin, Chairman of MIRDC indicated that the completion of construction three centers at Marine Technology Innovation Center will provide local labor for the marine construction and technology industry in offshore wind energy and form the most comprehensive marine engineering cultivation center in Asia. It will provide incentive for young people to seek employment in their hometown of Kaohsiung, proactively create high-level job opportunities, and attract companies of this industry. At the same time, this will revitalize the economy around Xingda Harbor. Currently, the three centers have obtained the candidate certificate for the diamond level green building and diamond level intelligent building. After the centers are completed, they will become landmarks in Xingda Harbor. The three centers will combine technological capability with local industry demands, which will promote cross-industry integration and accelerate Taiwan’s marine industry application and development. The centers will be closely linked with the region to promote local career opportunities and economic development.