Shipping Development Research Institute of Dalian Maritime University was established in June 6, 2008 in Dalian Maritime University. It gathered the elite scholars, entrepreneurs and other intellectual resources studying and solving the hot, difficult and forward-looking issues of concern of world shipping industry to improve China's shipping industry innovation ability, service ability and international competitiveness of the service.
There are 10 the research centers under the Shipping Development Research Institute of Dalian Maritime University such as traffic and transport planning. Focusing on the soft science research of shipping, it provides shipping development, decision making and related services to the competent authorities and shipping enterprises, carried out the research on the development strategy and planning of port, laws and policies related to shipping industry, port operation and management, shipping economy, water traffic safety and salvage, logistics engineering and management, ocean development and management, maritime education, maritime history and culture and other shipping related soft science in ten aspects.