TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Applied Research Laboratories held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new marine tools manufacturing facility on Sunday.

According to a press release, the large-scale factory buildings and ancillary facilities will provide a testing site for vessels and serve as a logistics and maintenance center for the research vessel Legend, which was launched in 2017. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, per CNA.

NARLabs said the base will serve as core infrastructure for the long-term development of marine technology. It will enhance Taiwan’s marine research and development, reduce reliance on imported instruments, and boost the marine industry’s efficiency.

Additionally, the base will integrate with industries in Kaohsiung’s Singda Harbor and the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ marine technology zone to encourage local industries to transition into high-value marine product manufacturing. This will help establish an “ocean technology corridor” in southern Taiwan.

NARLabs President Tsai Hung-ying (蔡宏營) said he hopes the base will become a hub for Taiwan’s marine research equipment development and propel its marine technology into a new era.