Gao, C. and Sun, H., 2020. Strategic transformation of human resource management model of ocean engineering: An exploratory study. In: Gong, D.; Zhang, M., and Liu, R. (eds.), Advances in Coastal Research: Engineering, Industry, Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 106, pp. 117–120. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.With the implementation of China's marine strategy, more and more attention has been paid to the use and development of the ocean, and more and more marine engineering projects have been carried out. However, the gap between China's ocean engineering and that of developed countries is still big. These gaps are not only reflected in the engineering technology, but also in the management of ocean engineering personnel. On the one hand, the existing human resource management model of marine engineering in China could not well meet the increasingly urgent needs of marine resource development, and changing the model and carrying out the strategic transformation is urgent. On the other hand, the rapid development of higher education in China in recent years is inseparable from efficient performance management. The mode of performance management in universities is the value orientation of promoting efficiency with fairness and promoting development with standardization. By using performance management in the daily management activities of universities, the development strategy is established and has the characteristics of academic, human nature, complexity, and effectiveness. Therefore, it is of great practical significance for the healthy and sustainable development of ocean engineering in China to establish the human resource management model of ocean engineering based on the performance management model of universities. Accordingly, this paper first expounds the necessity and urgency of the transformation of the human resource management mode of marine engineering in China and then analyzes the current situation. The essential characteristics and value orientation of performance management in universities is also analyzed. Finally, this paper discusses the feasibility of establishing the human resource management model of ocean engineering based on the performance management model in universities, so as to establish an innovative model suitable for the actual needs in China.