On May 29, 2025, the School of Ocean Science and Engineering held the theme activity of Youth Roundtable: Witnessing the Past and Present Life of Aida Modu. The event focused on China's first domestic large-scale cruise ship Aida Modu, and invited young writer and cruise traveler Xu Songyi, three young engineers of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Wang Gaoshuai, Xu Jiayu and Zhu Liang to discuss the innovative breakthrough and unique cultural charm behind the first domestic large-scale cruise ship, and appreciate the climbing road of Made in Shanghai, with Xu Ling, a counselor, as the host.
Before the official opening of the roundtable interview, Mr. Xu Songyi, a cruise traveler, warmed up the event with a wonderful sharing entitled Cruise Tourism and Sea Passenger Life. With her rich experience in traveling around the world and profound cultural observation, she sketched a three-dimensional picture of the cruise world for the teachers and students present through four vivid sessions: Understanding Cruise Ships, Sea Passengers and Cruise Life, Cruise Travel Experiences and Interesting Questions and Answers. Mr. Xu not only analyzed the composition and charm of the cruise industry in simple terms, but also shared the unique experience of the seaboard profession and the bits and pieces of cross-cultural life with delicate brushstrokes, and narrowed the distance between young students and the cruise industry through the story of cruise travel through personal experience.
As an epoch-making milestone in China's shipbuilding industry, the successful delivery of the Aida Modu marks that China has become the only country in the world that has gathered the three jewels in the crown of the shipbuilding industry, and has the ability to build aircraft carriers, large LNG carriers and large cruise ships, fully demonstrating the top strength in the field of high-end shipbuilding. Three engineers from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. respectively interpreted the hard-core breakthrough of this big country from the perspectives of design, construction management and technology research and development. Engineer Wang Gaoshuai shared a number of firsts overcome in the construction process, such as the application of intelligent processing technology for 4mm thin plate and the final assembly of the longest shipyard in Asia. Director Zhu Liang focused on his team's innovative breakthroughs in digital 3D design and 3D submission technology, which has greatly improved design efficiency. Xu Jiayu elaborated on the 1+N model, that is, the operation experience of an assembly enterprise collaborating with hundreds of global suppliers, and emphasized that the core of the complex management process lies in establishing a standardized process and an efficient cross-cultural communication mechanism, and insisting on independent innovation in practice.
In addition to sharing the technological breakthroughs, the three engineers also looked back on the memorable little things in the design and construction process. Zhu Liang mentioned the tense moment when the cruise ship took off for the first time: In the face of this unprecedented behemoth, every step of the operation is related to the overall success or failure, and the scene was so quiet that you could hear the heartbeat, and everyone held their breath. Wang Gaoshuai shared the hardships of managing the massive drawings in the early stage of the project, and the design drawings were as much as two containers, ensuring that each latest version was accurately delivered to the collaborators, which was an uphill battle in itself. Xu Jiayu described a romantic idea after the completion of the main body of the cruise ship, which used its interior space and lighting for the first time after the completion of the cruise ship to create an inside landscape. These vivid details vividly interpret the wisdom, sweat and enthusiasm behind the heavy weapons of a great country.
The guests also exchanged special cultural expressions of Aida Modu - its exterior painting is inspired by the Dunhuang murals Flying Heaven and Heavenly Maiden Scattered Flowers, cleverly integrating the theme of the Silk Road and modern industrial aesthetics, showing an eye-catching oriental charm. After comparing the experience of taking Chinese and foreign cruise ships, Xu Songyi said that the Aida Modu not only benchmarks the international standard in terms of hardware facilities, but also allows passengers to truly feel the unique temperature and charm of Chinese service through well-designed Chinese catering and characteristic cultural performances.
As the highlight of the Made in Shanghai section of the 2025 Shanghai Cultural Experience Month, this youth roundtable party showed the dual charm of Made in Shanghai in three dimensions with an in-depth dialogue between technology and culture, and established a spiritual coordinate for young students to devote themselves to the cause of great power and heavy weapons.
Figure 1 Youth Roundtable Faction: Witnessing the Past and Present of the Aida Modu.
Figure 2 Youth Roundtable Faction: Witnessing the Past and Present of the Aida Modu.
Figure 3 Youth Roundtable Faction: Witnessing the Past and Present of the Aida Modu.
Figure 4 Youth Roundtable Faction: Witnessing the Past and Present of the Aida Modu.
Figure 5 Youth Roundtable Faction: Witnessing the Past and Present of the Aida Modu.