Heilongjiang Water Transport Planning and Design Institute, established in 1978, is the only comprehensive scientific research and design entity based in the Heilongjiang river systems that encompasses ship design, land planning, and water transportation engineering survey and design. In August 2000, the institute was incorporated into Harbin Engineering University as an independent legal entity. It has become a ship design research unit with considerable competence and development potential in China. The research areas include design of river and ocean intermodal ships, design of ships for river and lake engineering , ship design for inland rivers and seasonal frozen waters, design of comprehensive port or piers for specific uses, and design of shipyard and medium-sized civil buildings.