Shandong province is advancing its marine economy, becoming a leader in China's blue economic development. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year (2021–25) Plan, the province's marine GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 8.4 percent, reaching 1.8 trillion yuan ($255 billion) in 2024. Seven marine industries, including fisheries and marine chemical and engineering, lead the nation in added value.

The structure of Shandong's marine economy is shifting from being service-oriented to manufacturing, with high-end marine equipment and chemical industries expanding rapidly. The province has set up three national marine economic development demonstration zones and 13 provincial marine industry clusters.

Scientific and technological innovation is a key factor. Shandong is home to 50 national marine research institutions and 22 full-time marine academicians, making up one-third of the national total. In 2024, the province's five marine achievements won national science and technology awards, representing half of the country's total.

Shandong's port construction is also noteworthy. Its ports are global leaders in cargo throughput and efficiency, with Qingdao Port, Rizhao Port, and Yantai Port ranking in the top 10 global ports. Notably, Qingdao Port's cargo throughput exceeded 700 million metric tons in 2025, 15 days earlier than in 2024.

Meanwhile, Shandong's emerging marine industries, such as offshore wind power and marine biopharmaceuticals, are also thriving. Since 2018, the added value of emerging marine industries in the province has increased by 64.8 percent. In 2024, the marine medicine and bioproducts industry achieved an added value of 19.05 billion yuan.

Ecological governance has also had significant results. To date, Shandong has restored 12,500 hectares of coastal wetlands and 66.89 kilometers of coastline. Six national beautiful bays have been built, the most in the country.