China hits back at US tariffs to defend rules-based trade

China will raise additional tariffs on all goods imported from the United States to 84 percent, starting at 12:01 am on Thursday, and has added 18 US entities to its export control and unreliable entity list in order to counter the US' unilateral tariff hikes.

The countermeasures send a clear message that China, the world's second-largest economy, is prepared to stand firm in defense of its legitimate interests and the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Beijing's latest moves follow Washington's decision to increase its so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese goods to 84 percent, bringing the total additional tariffs imposed by the current Trump administration to 104 percent.

First LNG bonded warehouse established in Zhoushan, Zhejiang pilot free trade zone

On 31 March 2025, the No. TK04 storage tank in ENN(Zhoushan) Liquefied Natural Gas Co., Ltd was officially accepted by Hangzhou Customs and obtained the Bonded Warehouse Registration Certificate. This marks the successful establishment of an LNG bonded warehouse in Zhoushan area of Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone.

The ENN company applied for a bonded storage tank volume of 160,000 cubic meters. In the future, LNG refueling in Zhoushan port can directly extract gas from the bonded warehouse, reducing transportation and operations costs and further accelerating the establishment of Zhoushan as a global bonded ship refueling centre.

Drone Delivery in Zhoushan Anchorage Successful

Ship delivery by drone at Zhoushan Anchorage is a new, innovative service in China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

On 5 March, a large-payload DJI cargo drone of the FC30 model took off from the Xiaogan Island International Maritime Service Industrial Park in Xincheng, Zhoushan. It was loaded with items such as crew certificates, equipment parts and coffee, and flew towards the Chinese-flagged international voyaging ship "Xinyihai 16" anchored at the Mazhi Anchorage. The straight-line flight distance was approximately 4 kilometers, and it successfully landed on the hatch cover of No. 3 hold of the "Xinyihai 16" in just 7 minutes.

Compared to traditional modes of ship delivery, drone delivery achieves minute-level anchorage delivery through "point-to-point" rapid transportation and a more than 80% reduction in delivery costs.

Currently, the maximum flight distance of drone delivery is 8 kilometers, with a maximum payload of 30 kilograms, fulfilling most small items and supplies transportation demands for ships at anchorage. The next step for Zhoushan Port will be to continue expanding the drone-adapted transportation service for ship supplies.

World’s Largest Pulp Carrier Delivered Ahead of Schedule

On 1 April, the CSPC ARIES - the world’s largest pulp carrier - was officially named and delivered 213 days ahead of contract in Yangzhou, China. Built by CSSC Chengxi for CITIC Financial Leasing and operated by COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, this 85,000 DWT next-gen multi-purpose vessel redefines large-scale cargo transport.

The vessel measures 225m LOA, 36m Beam and a cruising speed 15.5 knots.

This delivery marks a major milestone for China’s high-end shipbuilding and sets a new pace for efficient, sustainable maritime logistics. CSPC ARIES is set to embark on her maiden voyage to the Middle East and Africa.

China develops 360 degree ship monitoring to enhance navigation safety

Chinese researchers have developed a maritime vision system that provides ships with complete 360-degree visibility, thereby significantly improving navigation safety in darkness, fog and other challenging conditions.

With global trade relying heavily on maritime transport, increasingly congested shipping lanes have heightened collision risks. Conventional ship vision systems, equipped with just two or three cameras, offer maximum 120-degree coverage, leaving dangerous blind spots.

The innovative system, developed through 14 years of research at an university, represents China's first all-weather, high-resolution, panoramic vision solution for maritime applications.

This technology features a dual-module design with 8 to 12 cameras per unit, integrating both visible-light and far-infrared sensors to ensure reliable performance across varying visibility conditions.

COSCO Shipping Named its biggest Dual-fuel Car Carrier

On 20 March, the 8,600 CEU LNG dual-fuel car carrier Wenjingkou was officially named at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. This vessel marks a significant leap forward as China’s largest and most environmentally advanced car carrier to date — and the largest NEV carrier in COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers' fleet.

With a length of 199.9m, beam of 38m, and a draft of 9.2m, Wenjingkou boasts an impressive design speed of 19 knots and a range of 28,000 nautical miles. Equipped with LNG dual-fuel engines and an electric RoRo system, it achieves a 27% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional fuel vessels — fully aligning with IMO’s stringent environmental standards.

Major Container Terminal Expansion Wave Reshapes Global Maritime Landscape

As China accelerates its port infrastructure development, a new wave of mega-container terminal projects are underway, positioning the country to strengthen its role as a global maritime powerhouse.

The development includes Guangzhou Nansha Phase V Project, Lianyungang’s 200,000-tonne Smart Terminal, Qingdao’s Dual Mega-Projects, Hainan’s Yangpu Port Ambitions and Ningbo-Zhoushan & Shanghai’s Mega-Upgrades.

With over 10 major projects under way simultaneously, China isn’t just expanding capacity – it’s redefining port efficiency through automation, deeper berths, and integrated logistics. These developments will reshape global shipping networks, particularly for ultra-large vessels and trans-Pacific trade lanes.

The very first Milestone of the Belt and Road between Brazil and China archived over 10 million tonnes of iron ore transportation

On 2 April, the 300,000 DWT He Ying successfully berthed at Luoyu Port, marking over 10 million tonnes of iron ore transported along the Brazil - China “Belt and Road”

This high-efficiency, deep-sea route connecting Brazil’s Tubarão Port and Fujian’s Luoyu Port spans more than 10,000 nautical miles and symbolizes the growing synergy between shipping, ports, and trade under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Luoyu Port, one of the few global ports capable of handling 400,000 DWT vessels, continues to set records as a regional hub for bulk cargo.

World largest Heavylift vessel delivered in Yangzhou shipyard

On 2 April, the Liberian-flagged heavy lift ship "CSPC ARIES", the world's largest tonnage heavy lift ship built by CSSC Chengxi Yangzhou Shipbuilding, was successfully delivered in Yangzhou. This marks that China's shipbuilding industry has reached a new peak in the field of building high-value-added and high-performance ships, injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of Yangzhou's marine engineering equipment industry.

The ship has an overall length of 225 meters, a molded width of 36 meters, a molded depth of 21.05 meters, a designed speed of 15.5 knots and a deadweight of 84,500 tons. This ship has strong adaptability and high loading efficiency, and is capable of transporting various goods such as grains, ores, pulp, containers, new energy vehicles, etc., truly achieving the goal of "one ship with multiple uses and the ability to reach all over the world". At the same time, this ship type has superior environmental performance, can meet the EEDI PHASE III energy efficiency requirements, and has outstanding economic performance.

First Bulk Bunkering of Domestic Green Methanol — A Breakthrough at Shanghai Port

On 30 March, Shanghai Port made history by completing the first-ever bulk bunkering of domestically-produced green methanol, supplying 2,900 tons to the newly delivered 9000 TEU methanol-powered container ship “HMM Green”.

This milestone marks a major step forward for China’s green fuel ambitions — and for the global maritime industry looking for scalable, low-carbon solutions.

Unlike earlier symbolic trials using imported volumes, this bunkering used homegrown green methanol produced in Inner Mongolia, delivered via a mature national logistics network, and enabled by the full chain of “storage, transport, and supply” capabilities at Shanghai Port.

China Announced Several Counter-measures Against US Tariff War

According to the Customs Tariff Law of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Customs Law of the PRC and the Foreign Trade Law of the PRC, as well as the basic principles of international law, and with the approval of the State Council, additional tariffs will be imposed on a selection of imported goods originating from the United States starting March 10, 2025. The goods are:

1.15% tariff will be imposed on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton.

2.10% tariff will be imposed on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

For the imported goods listed in the annex originating from the United States, the corresponding additional tariffs will be imposed on the basis of the current applicable tariff rates. The current bonded and tax exemption and reduction policies remain unchanged, and the additional tariffs imposed this time will not be exempted or reduced.

Goods that have departed from the place of origin before March 10, 2025 and are imported between March 10 and April 12, 2025 will not be subject to the additional tariffs specified in this announcement.

China Weighs Coal Import Curbs as Oversupply Threatens Profitability

As the world’s largest coal importer and consumer, China is signaling potential moves to tighten import controls, while outright bans remain unlikely due to WTO obligations, measures like import delays or stricter inspections could emerge to address a crippling oversupply.

China’s potential restrictions could ripple through global coal markets, impacting prices and trade flows. While renewable energy adoption is accelerating, coal’s dominance in base load power ensures its strategic importance—even amid short-term volatility.

Shanghai Yangshan Port Bunkered Two LNG Powered Containers at the Same Time

On February 22, Shanghai Yangshan Port marked a historic milestone: for the first time, two LNG refueling vessels simultaneously provided fuel to two large container ships engaged in international voyages.

This achievement signifies a major step in Yangshan Port’s transition into the “dual-ship refueling phase” introduced last year.

The refueling vessels Huaihe Energy Qihang and Haigang Future refueled the CMA CGM Deginit and CMA CGM Xihe container ships with LNG fuel.

According to the data, Shanghai Port's LNG refueling volume in January reached 65,000 cubic meters, a 138% increase year-on-year, with 11 operations completed.

China Shipbuilding Industry Takes a Major Leap Forward with Successful Merger

On February 18, 2025, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Company (CSIC) held special shareholder meetings, where key proposals regarding their landmark merger were overwhelmingly approved. With over 90% approval from shareholders, this marks a crucial step in the integration of these two giant enterprises, further solidifying China’s position in the global shipbuilding industry.

The merger will integrate key shipyards such as Jiangnan Shipbuilding (group) Co., Ltd., Dalian Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., and others into a unified entity, optimizing production and eliminating internal competition.

This merger paves the way for the creation of a world-class, globally competitive shipbuilding giant. With projected revenues exceeding 120 billion RMB and assets near 400 billion RMB, the future looks promising for China’s shipbuilding sector.

COSCO SHIPPING Unveils China’s First 16,136 TEU Methanol Dual-Fuel Container Vessel

On February 18, 2025, the first 16,136 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessel built by COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) was successfully named. This milestone project marks a significant advancement for COSCO SHIPPING in the development of green and low-carbon strategies, as well as the construction of a fleet powered by new energy fuels.

The vessel, named COSCO SHIPPING Yangpu, is the first of its kind to be built by COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Yangzhou). With a total length of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters, it can carry up to 16,136 TEUs. The vessel is designed with cutting-edge technology and sustainability in mind, featuring a large methanol storage tank that allows it to complete a one-way trip from the Far East to the West Coast of the U.S. in methanol mode. This innovative design not only improves operational efficiency but also offers a new solution for optimizing global shipping routes.

Ningbo Ocean Shipping Transforms Domestic Vessels for International Services

Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. (NBOSCO), a container shipping company subsidiary to Zhejiang Seaport Group, has successfully completed its first domestic-to-international conversion of container vessel, Xin Ming Zhou 90, which recently completed its maiden voyage to Ho Chi Minh Port, carrying 808 TEUs.

NBOSCO is set to continue with sister vessels Xin Ming Zhou 92 and Xin Ming Zhou 96, which are slated for similar conversions, and will join regional routes upon completion.

World’s Largest 84,500 DWT Multipurpose Pulp Carrier Delivered

The world’s largest and most advanced multipurpose pulp carrier, designed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) and built by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. was delivered recently. This 84,500 DWT giant marks a groundbreaking achievement in China’s pursuit of excellence in high-end, specialized vessel construction.

With a total length of 225 meters, beam of 36 meters, and a deadweight of 85,000 tons, the CSPC HORIZON redefines efficiency. Its open, step-free cargo hold design ensures optimal loading for paper pulp, while its flexibility extends to transporting wind turbines, high-speed rail components, heavy machinery, and even refrigerated containers on deck.

Two Container Berths Added at Yangpu Port, Hainan

The first stage of the expansion project of the Yangpu Regional International Container Hub Port in Hainan has newly built a 700-meter wharf shoreline, including a 200,000-ton and a 150,000-ton container berths. It is equipped with facilities such as 8 shore cranes, 23 RTG cranes and 5 rail-mounted gantry cranes, which can meet the all-weather berthing needs of the world's largest 200,000-ton container ships. After the project is put into operation, the annual handling capacity will increase by 2 million TEUs, and the overall handling capacity will reach 3.6 million TEUs.

It plans to obtain the operations license and begin work by the end of March.

ULOC Safely Berthed with Record Deep Draft in Lianyungang

Lianyungang port has set a new record for the maximum draft of ships she can accommodate since its opening. On February 24th, a ULOC named "Brazil" with a draft of 23.1 meters and loaded with 394,200 tons of iron ore successfully berthed at Berth 87 of Lianyungang Port.

The successful accommodation of the ship reflects a great potential and resilience in handling large ore carriers of the port.

Inspection of Pilot Boarding Facilities Enhanced by MSA in Dandong Port

In order to implement the requirements of the notice of the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) on carrying out the special inspection campaign of "pilot ladders and pilot embarkation and disembarkation devices", Dandong MSA, in combination with Port State Control inspections, will carry out special inspections of pilot ladders and pilot embarkation and disembarkation devices for ships arriving at the port. During the inspection, MSA will focus on the maintenance and use of pilot facilities of ships entering and leaving the port, and adopt regular ship boarding and temporary random inspections to ensure the safety of pilotage operations.

Another Fully Automated Container Terminal Opens

Hebei Port Group’s Tangshan port has officially opened its first fully automated container terminal at Berth 25 in the Jingtang Port Area. This groundbreaking facility marks a significant milestone in China’s port automation journey.

With a total quay length of 330 meters and the capacity to handle 70,000-ton vessels, this terminal is set to boost Tangshan Port’s capacity and enhance Hebei’s position in global trade.

Several Key Breakthroughs in Alternative Fuel Engines Achieved

Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute secures Type Approval for Ammonia Dual-Fuel Engine, the institute’s high-power 270mm bore ammonia/diesel dual-fuel engine has received type approval from China Classification Society (CCS). Featuring an independently developed ammonia fuel injection system, electronic common rail system, and electronic management system, the engine boasts an ammonia substitution rate of over 85%, showcasing China’s growing innovation in alternative marine fuels.

Two anchorages added for duty-free bunker supply in Yangpu, Hainan

n January 2025, China Customs and MSA granted outer anchorages number one and two, full operations capabilities to accept international trading vessels to take duty-free bunkers in Yangpu, Hainan island. Yangpu’s geographical location encourages vessels to conveniently bunker in the region, enhancing Yangpu’s position as one of the leading bunker hubs of South China.

Moreover, vessels bunkering at these anchorages are exempted from Chinese tonnage dues. The outer anchorage can accommodate a fully loaded Capesize bulk carrier, with DWT up to 200,000 Metric Tonnes.

Reporting requirements for foreign-flagged ships entering the internal waters of China in emergency situations

The China MSA has recently issued the "Announcement on the Reporting Requirements for Foreign-flagged Ships Entering the Internal Waters of the People’s Republic of China in Emergency Situations". The Announcement aims to regulate the reporting procedures for foreign-flagged ships entering China's internal waters in emergency situations.

In order to effectively safeguard national sovereignty and comprehensively ensure the safety and order of waters, China has established a rigorous and comprehensive regulatory system for foreign-flagged ships entering its internal waters. Under normal circumstances, if a foreign-flagged ship plans to enter China's internal waters, she is obligated to submit an application to the Chinese MSA in advance and truthfully provide relevant materials as required. Only after obtaining approval and ensuring that the ship meets all safety and regulatory standards, can she enter China's internal waters within the specified time and along a designated route.

However, ships are constantly exposed to various maritime risks. In the event of sudden emergencies or serious threats to navigation safety, the ship may need to seek temporary refuge or rescue by urgently entering a country's internal waters to ensure the safety of lives and the ship herself. To address such special circumstances, the China MSA has issued this Announcement, aiming to provide systematic, comprehensive, and practical reporting guidance for foreign-flagged ships entering China's internal waters in emergencies. This ensures that such special navigation activities are conducted in a safe and orderly manner pursuant to relevant applicable laws and regulations.

This Announcement applies to foreign-flagged ships which need to urgently enter the internal waters of China due to emergency situations, such as urgent illness, mechanical failure, distress, and adverse weather conditions, when a permit to enter port areas has not yet been obtained. The Announcement clearly stipulates the reporting methods, reporting requirements and legal responsibilities. For detailed information, please click here for full details of the original Announcement.

China leads three shipbuilding indicators for 15th year

China's three major shipbuilding indicators all showed positive trends in 2024, data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) revealed on Thursday, marking the 15th consecutive year China has led these indicators globally.

China's shipbuilding completion volume from January to December 2024 accounted for 55.7 percent of the global total, meaning over half of the ships delivered globally in 2024 were built in China. New orders of China's shipbuilding industry accounted for 74.1 percent of global volume and orders on hand accounted for 63.1 percent.

In terms of ship tonnage, China completed 48.18 million tons of shipbuilding orders, marking a 13.8 percent year-on-year increase. Newly received order volume reached 113.05 million tons, surging 58.8 percent year-on-year, and the order at hand hit 208.72 million tons, up 49.7 percent year-on-year, according to MIIT.

Data from China's General Administration of Customs also showed that in 2024, China exported a total of 5,804 ships, representing a 25.1 percent increase from 2023. The export value amounted to $43.38 billion, up 57.3 percent year-on-year.

China's shipbuilding industry has been making remarkable breakthroughs in core manufacturing technologies in recent years, from 24,000-TEU-level vessels, to LNG carriers and cruise ships, China is now nearly capable of building all of the most advanced types of ships on the current market.

In 2024, China ranked first in new orders for 14 of the 18 mainstream ship types globally such as multi-purpose vessels, auto carriers, and container ships.

In addition to shifting from quantity to quality in shipbuilding, China is also at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies like green ship fuels and intelligent ship operation systems.

China's new shipbuilding orders for green power vessels have been steadily increasing their share in the global market, rising from 31.5 percent in 2021 to 78.5 percent in 2024, and some shipbuilding companies have made technological reserves in green fuel areas such as LNG, hydrogen, and ammonia, positioning themselves to secure orders promptly.

Tianjin port logs record high throughput in 2024

In 2024, Tianjin Port Group achieved a total annual throughput of 493 million tons, representing an increase of 3% year-on-year. The number of containers handled reached 23.28 million TEUs, marking a year-on-year growth of 5% and an annual increase of over 1 million TEUs, both reaching record highs.

MSA launched a campaign of special inspection over entering enclosed space aboard ships

As announced by China MSA, from 15th January 2025 through 14th October 2025, a nationwide special inspection on entering and working in enclosed space on board ships are to be carried out by MSA, the move is focusing on the procedure and safe practice for crew entering and working in enclosed space on board, and aiming to ensure safety of life and contain any inherent risk in such operation.

All shipping agencies are advised to keep crew well informed of the ongoing inspection and crew should get themselves ready for the inspection prior to arrival in a port.

Milestone in green shipping - China's first carbon-neutral newbuilding

On January 15th, 2025, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers welcomed the Green Rizhao, the 14th vessel in its 77,000 DWT multipurpose series, into its fleet during a naming ceremony in Dalian. This vessel series boasts the world's largest professional pulp carriers, setting a new benchmark in green shipping innovation.

What sets Green Rizhao apart is its groundbreaking achievement as China's first vessel to undergo and pass a carbon-neutral evaluation. Built with zero carbon emissions during its construction process, the vessel proudly carries a Carbon Neutrality Certificate issued by China Classification Society (CCS).

The Green Rizhao is also paving the way for sustainable global trade. Its maiden voyage will take wind power equipment, engineering machinery, and containers from Chinese ports to Brazil via the South America East route.

With over 160 vessels and a total capacity of 6.7 million DWT, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers is a global leader in specialized shipping. This achievement not only highlights their commitment to innovation but also underscores the maritime industry's transition towards a greener future.

Yantai Port remains world's top bauxite importing port

M.V China Steel Liberty completed the unloading of 205,000 metric tons of Guinean bauxite at Yantai Port of Shandong Port Group (SPG) recently. The annual bauxite import volume at Yantai Port exceeded 50 million tons in 2024, with the throughput of a single cargo type surpassing 130 million tons. Concurrently, SPG Ores Terminal Branch Company of Yantai Port emerged as the first terminal company within Yantai Port to achieve a throughput exceeding 100 million tons.

Leveraging the China-African two-way logistics golden channel and globally pioneering specialized dry bulk cargo terminal control technology, Yantai Port has secured its position as the world's premier bauxite importing port.

Throughout the vessel's time at the port, the unloading, storage, and transportation processes were seamlessly connected.

As a major hub for supplying overseas raw materials to China's aluminium industry, Yantai Port has established a comprehensive logistics network for bauxite transportation from African mines to Chinese end-users. The Boké Port Area and Kimbo Port Area, managed by Yantai Port, have yielded over 360 million tons of ore, representing more than half of Guinea's bauxite export share.

Meanwhile, in the domestic unloading and distribution sector, Yantai Port continues to upgrade the world's leading specialized dry bulk cargo terminal control technology, as well as spearhead innovation in developing bulk cargo vessel cleaning equipment and a comprehensive, intelligent operational and maintenance control platform. 

China eases visa-free transit rules to boost openness & int'l exchanges

China announced on 17th December 2024 a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, aiming to further boost international openness and people-to-people exchanges.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers has been extended from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.

The move, effective immediately, also includes a substantial expansion of designated ports and travel regions, enhancing flexibility for international visitors.

Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States, and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region.

These travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, regions, and municipalities -- up from 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions -- and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.

Tankers involved in Iranian crude oil trade to be denied by Shandong port group

According to Reuters, tankers blacklisted by OFAC due to engaging in Iranian crude trade will be denied entry to ports operated by Shandong port group. Ports affected would mainly be Rizhao, Qingdao and Yantai.

Refineries in these ports are the major buyers of Iranian crude oil, the move could significantly reduce the import of crude oil from Iran.

Owners, charterers, operators and traders are advised to check the sanction list carefully before sending their vessels to these ports, in order to avoid unexpected outcomes.

China's foreign trade reaches record highs

The total value of China's foreign trade reached a record high of 43.85 trillion yuan ($5.98 trillion) in 2024, marking a 5 percent year-on-year growth, statistics from the General Administration of Customs showed.

China's exports amounted to 25.45 trillion yuan last year, reflecting a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase, while imports totaled 18.39 trillion yuan, marking a 2.3 percent rise compared to the previous year.

The administration said that China remains the world's largest goods trader. The country has become a major trading partner for over 150 countries and regions.

In terms of quality of trade, China's structure of imported and exported products has been optimized and upgraded, said Wang Lingjun, vice-minister of the GAC.

At a news conference in Beijing, Wang highlighted the encouraging momentum of China's trade growth in high-tech products, noting that exports of self-owned branded products have reached a new record and new business models, such as cross-border e-commerce, have thrived.

CSSC shipyards show robust growth in 2024

Three Shanghai-based shipyards delivered 69 vessels and received new shipbuilding orders for 128 units in 2024, according to their parent company China State Shipbuilding Corp.

This represents a year-on-year growth of 19 percent and 70 percent, respectively, the world's largest shipbuilder said.

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding signed an order with QatarEnergy in April to build 18 super-large LNG carriers with a maximum capacity of 271,000 cubic meters. It is so far the world's largest single order for LNG tankers.

Its same-town peer Jiangnan Shipyard also displayed its shipbuilding prowess on Nov 25 by delivering the nation's first large-sized LNG carrier featuring Mark III technology, two months ahead of schedule. Following this order, Jiangnan Shipyard became the nation's first shipbuilder to construct LNG carriers equipped with the Mark III membrane system.

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, also a subsidiary of CSSC, set another record in China's shipbuilding history by becoming the first to cross the 100 million deadweight ton mark in terms of total ships completed, after delivering an FPSO, or floating production, storage and offloading, vessel named Jaguar to Netherlands-based SBM Offshore on Nov 14.

The FPSO is the 22nd vessel delivered by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in 2024, fulfilling its whole-year delivery target one and a half months ahead of schedule.

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding delivered the nation's first domestically built large cruise ship Adora Magic City in 2023. It is currently working on China's second domestically produced large cruise ship Adora Flora City, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2026.

China's First Ammonia Bunkering Successfully Completed in Dalian

On December 24th, Sinopec Chimbusco (Liaoning), a subsidiary of China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers, successfully conducted the bunkering operation for Yuantuo No. 1, a newly constructed 5,500HP ammonia-powered tugboat at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Dalian) dockyard.

This landmark achievement marks China's first-ever marine ammonia bunkering operation, setting a new milestone in the nation's clean energy journey for the maritime industry.

As the shipping industry faces mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices, Sinopec China Shipping Marine Fuel Supply remains committed to delivering clean energy solutions. By advancing research in alternative marine fuels, they aim to establish a robust supply system for green energy, contributing to the global transition towards low-carbon shipping.

Two new oil terminals open to operation in Qingdao

Recently, two new oil terminals D26 and D27 with a capacity of 120,000MT each in Dongjiakou district of Qingdao port officially opened to commercial operations. The designated annual throughput of these two terminals is estimated at about 9.95 million MT.

Zhoushan bunkering volume steadily on the rise

The annual bunker volume in Zhoushan port for last year has been officially released, at 7.26 million tons for the year, that marks an increase of 3% year-on-year. In 2023, Zhoushan port ranked fourth in the world, with total volume of 7.04 million tons bunkered.

Visits to Tianjin port by cruise ships surged

In 2024, Tianjin Port accommodated 105 international cruise ships and facilitated the entry and exit of over 350,000 passengers. These figures have secured its position as the top port in northern China and the second nationwide in terms of cruise ship visits and passenger numbers.

This winter through next spring, the "Dream" cruise ship will continue to offer its 6-day, 5-night South Korea-Japan route from Tianjin Port.

Direct shipping route links eastern Chinese city and Germany

A cargo ship loaded with over 1,700 TEU containers of lithium batteries and e-commerce goods set sail on 30th December 2024 from east China's Ningbo port for Wilhelmshaven in Germany, marking the opening of a "China-Europe express" shipping route.

The Ningbo-Wilhelmshaven direct route will reduce transport time down to 26 days, saving 12 days, compared to the previous route with multiple stops, according to Sun Xuejun, chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd.

Anemoi completes installation of Rotor Sails onboard Vale VLOC in largest wind-propulsion project to date

Anemoi Marine Technologies completed the installation of five Rotor Sails onboard the 400,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), Sohar Max, making it the largest vessel to receive wind propulsion technology to date. Sohar Max is a first generation Valemax, built in 2012 in China’s Rongsheng shipyard.

The five 35 m tall, 5 m diameter Rotor Sails were retrofitted onboard Sohar Max at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China, in October 2024. In addition, Anemoi has installed its bespoke folding deployment system, which will enable the sails to be retracted from their vertical positions to minimize any impact on the vessel’s cargo handling operations.

With the installation of the Rotor Sails, it is expected that Sohar Max will now be able to reduce its fuel consumption by up to 6% and cut carbon emissions by up to 3,000 tonnes annually. Sohar Max has just completed a voyage to Tubarao, during which the rotor sail test period began and testing will continue on future voyages.

In October 2024, Vale announced it is also set to install Anemoi’s Rotor Sails onboard the 400,000 dwt VLOC NSU Tubarao, The project, which is due for completion in September 2025, is expected to achieve significant reduction of fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Nine more countries added to China's visa-free travel list

China has expanded its visa-free policy to nine more countries, including eight in Europe, allowing citizens in these countries to enter for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism and other visits starting from 30th November.

The policy now includes Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan, alongside other nations benefiting from China's open-door approach. Officials and tourism professionals from the newly included countries have welcomed the move as a step toward stronger bilateral ties.

Starting from 30th November, ordinary passport holders from a total of 38 countries within China's visa-free arrangement can enter China without a need to apply for a visa for the purposes of business, tourism, family visits, exchanges and visits and transit, with stays of no more than 30 days.

On Dec 1, 2023, China began implementing unilateral visa-free entry trials for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. The policies were later expanded several times to more countries.

Foreign trade growth on steady track

As global demand gains momentum, China's foreign trade is expected to maintain steady growth in the coming months, surpassing the usual seasonal fluctuations observed in previous years, trade experts and exporters said on Tuesday.

The resilience of China's foreign trade sector is supported by favorable global demand and ongoing policy adjustments, positioning it for sustained performance, they said.

China's foreign trade expanded by 4.9 percent year-on-year to 39.79 trillion yuan ($5.5 trillion) in the January-November period, while exports rose 6.7 percent yearly to 23.04 trillion yuan, statistics from the General Administration of Customs showed.

China's exports grew by 5.8 percent on a yearly basis in November and its monthly foreign trade values have maintained growth for eight consecutive months, said the administration.

The nation's exports outperformed seasonal trends last month, primarily due to resilient overseas orders, a recovery in electronics demand, and some foreign retailers' increasing imports in advance to avoid the effects of tariffs.

Structurally, China has maintained growth in traditional markets such as the European Union and the US in the past 11 months, while exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, Africa and South America continued to show steady growth.

Container terminal sets record for efficiency

The automated container terminal at Qingdao Port, a subsidiary of Shandong Port Group, achieved an average productivity of 60.6 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per hour during an unloading task on Monday. This marks the 11th time that the terminal has set a world record for automated terminal efficiency.

As one of the key international trade gateways of the country, Qingdao Port is home to Asia's first fully automated container terminal. Since beginning operations in May 2017, the terminal has continuously broken global records, driven by the operator's ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities.

2024 has been a year of continuous innovation. Efficiency has improved by 6 percent year-on-year, and cargo throughput has increased by 15 percent compared to the same period in 2023. These improvements enabled the terminal to surpass its previous year's total container throughput 43 days ahead of schedule.

In late November, the terminal completed an upgrade to its next-generation intelligent control system, developed in-house.

In December 2023, the third phase of Qingdao Port's automated terminal began operations. As China's first domestically developed automated container terminal, it marked a big step forward in achieving national core competitiveness in port technology.

Qingdao Port is now the fourth-largest port globally by cargo throughput and the second-largest for foreign trade in China. It operates over 220 container shipping routes, the busiest in northern China. In the first three quarters of 2024, the port handled 23.16 million TEUs, an 8 percent year-on-year increase.

The World's First Commercial Liquid CO2 Carrier Delivered

On November 29, 2024, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), successfully delivered the NORTHERN PIONEER, the world's first commercial 7,500-cubic-meter liquid CO2 carrier. Built for Norway’s Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, this vessel is the first of its kind designed specifically for transporting and storing liquid CO2 at sea. Its delivery marks a milestone in global carbon reduction and climate change mitigation efforts.

The vessel measures approximately 130 meters in length and 21.2 meters in width, with a maximum capacity of 7,500 cubic meters of liquefied CO2. Powered by an LNG dual-fuel system (liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil), it meets the world’s most stringent energy efficiency standards while achieving cutting-edge performance in fuel consumption and emissions control.

The NORTHERN PIONEER will serve the Northern Lights project, the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage initiative. This project captures industrial CO2 emissions from Europe, liquefies them, and transports them to a terminal on Norway’s west coast, where the CO2 is permanently stored 2,600 meters below the seabed.

With this milestone, China further solidifies its leadership in the green and low-carbon shipbuilding sector, contributing to a sustainable future for global shipping.

China sets up its first international ship registry in Hainan

China has established its first international ship registry in Hainan province, aiming to further develop the island into a free trade port.

The Hainan International Ship Registration Administration, launched in Yangpu, Danzhou, on Friday, is responsible for the registration, quality management, inspection, flag state services, and policy research for vessels flagged under the China Yangpu Port registry. The administration is a division of the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport.

Since the release of the Hainan Free Trade Port Overall Plan in 2020, the maritime sector has implemented reforms and innovations in international ship registration, including introducing the Hainan Free Trade Port International Shipping Regulations and the Hainan Free Trade Port International Ship Registration Procedures. These initiatives have attracted nearly 700 new shipping entities to Hainan and facilitated the registration or transfer of 47 vessels under the China Yangpu Port flag, adding 5.33 million deadweight tonnage of international shipping capacity, which places Hainan among the leading provinces in China for shipping capacity growth, according to the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration.

Wuyang Tanker Leads the Way in LNG Bunkering Innovation

Fuzhou Wuyang Refined Oil Trading Co., Ltd.(Wuyang Tanker) has officially signed a 1+1 construction agreement with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. for the nation’s first privately-built dual-purpose LNG transportation and bunkering vessel.

The LNG shipping industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, with LNG-capable vessels surging by 500% since 2016, as noted at the recent LNG Shipping and Terminals Conference in London. However, the expansion of LNG bunkering vessels has not kept pace, creating a critical challenge for safe and efficient refueling operations.

Recognizing this widening infrastructure gap, Wuyang Tanker announce the signing of a 1+1 construction agreement with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. for the nation’s first privately-built dual-purpose LNG transportation and bunkering vessel. This cutting-edge 12,000 cubic meter vessel is set to address pressing industry needs while propelling China’s energy transition forward.

By investing in this dual-purpose vessel, Fuzhou Wuyang Oil Products Trading Co., Ltd (Wuyang Tanker) is not only bridging the LNG bunkering gap but also driving a broader transformation in maritime energy use. This milestone aligns with China’s “Carbon Peak and Neutrality” goals.

LNG has emerged as the preferred pathway for decarbonization, with over 1,200 LNG-powered vessels expected globally by 2027.

Ocean Network Express and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Collaborate on Shore Power Innovation

Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group (NZPG) held a symposium on December 6th to share best practices and explore innovative approaches to shore power utilization. The event highlighted ONE’s nearly decade-long experience in utilizing Alternative Marine Power (AMP) containers on the U.S. West Coast.

Prior to the symposium day, a milestone was achieved on December 4th with the successful trial and commissioning of ONE’s AMP container at NZPG’s terminal. This marked the first time a vessel at a Chinese port utilized shore power through Lift-on/Lift-off operations* of an AMP container, a proven approach to boosting cold ironing and reducing emissions while in port.

The symposium kicked off with an opening speech from ONE Global Chief Officer, Hiroki Tsujii. He stated, “One approach to reduce carbon footprint is through shore power usage. Today we will introduce the utilization of a containerized AMP unit to support further reduction. The use of an AMP unit is a familiar and effective approach within this industry. To be successful, close cooperation among various concerned parties is necessary. We believe this will contribute to carbon footprint reduction in a practical and expedited way, and we hope it is a good symbol of collaboration among relevant parties.”

ONE is committed to exploring innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact. By collaborating with like minded partners like NZPG, the company aims to support the adoption of sustainable port operations and contribute to a greener future for all.

When a vessel equipped with AMP facilities but without fixed type cable reel or having an onboard AMP container arrives at a port, a containerized AMP unit stored at the terminal is lifted onto the vessel to enable shore power connection. Before the vessel departs, the AMP container is lifted off.

Large-sized LNG carrier delivered ahead of schedule

The nation's first large-sized LNG carrier featuring Mark III technology was delivered two months ahead of the contract delivery date on Monday by Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co Ltd.

Named “Al Shelila”, the vessel was the first of six 175,000 cubic meter LNG carriers ordered by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Logistics & Services in 2022. By receiving this order, Jiangnan Shipyard has become the nation’s first shipbuilder to construct LNG carriers equipped with the Mark III membrane system.

Developed and designed independently by Jiangnan Shipyard, the vessel follows the latest in cutting edge design concepts and is characterized as being mainstream, reliable, and environmentally friendly, all at the same time.

Based on its solid experience, sophisticated technology, craftsmanship and management, Jiangnan Shipyard merely spent 19 months in constructing the ship, delivering two months ahead of schedule.

With a history reaching as far back as 1865, Jiangnan Shipyard is a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), and the shipyard has constructed and delivered more than 2,800 vessels to date.

Mechanism of prior booking for anchorage introduced by MSA in Dandong

To efficiently utilize anchorage resources and to ensure safety of anchoring operations, as of 1st November, all arriving vessels must book their anchor berth online prior to arrival and are allowed to enter the anchorage only with MSA’s permission.

Currently, anchorages are booked through agents on behalf of vessels. Breach or failure may result in denial of entry to the anchorage.

China to grant visa-free entry to an additional nine countries

Beijing decided to grant the visa-free treatment to nine more countries, as further encouragement for cross-border travel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on 1 November.

China will extend the visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and the Republic of Korea on a trial basis, Lin said.

According to Lin, from 8 November, 2024, to 31 December, 2025, ordinary passport holders from these nine countries will be exempt from visas to enter China and can stay up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes.

Zhejiang MSA Issues the “Notice on Initiating the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Maritime Law Enforcement”

On 30 September, 2024, Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration (Zhejiang MSA) issued the “Notice on Initiating the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Maritime Law Enforcement” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”), deciding to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) for maritime law enforcement patrols within its jurisdiction from 1 October, 2024.

The Coverage Area of the Law Enforcement

The coverage area of law enforcement by UAV’s is the entire area under the jurisdiction of Zhejiang MSA. UAV’s shall take off from law enforcement personnel, law enforcement vehicles or boats, and the takeoff locations are the waters and coastal areas under the jurisdiction of the Zhejiang MSA, as well as the offices of the subordinate MSA at all levels under the management of Zhejiang MSA.

The jurisdiction area of Zhejiang MSA encompasses all waters along the coast of Zhejiang and all inland waters of Ningbo, Zhoushan, Wenzhou and Taizhou cities, as well as some inland waters of Jiaxing and Shaoxing (Shangyu).

Firstly, the use of UAV’s can rapidly reach the target law enforcement area without being restricted by terrain and water areas, effectively covering areas that are difficult for patrol boats to reach or patrol, therefore the law enforcement by UAV’s is more efficient and can cover a broader area. In terms of ship supervision, compared to patrol boats on which the law enforcement officers conduct inspections, UAV’s can reach more angles of the ship for inspection and accurately find hidden dangers such as safety and pollution prevention that are difficult to observe from patrol boats, and reduce blind spots in law enforcement.

Secondly, using UAV's for law enforcement will make on-site evidence collection more convenient. UAV's can take advantage of their equipped high-resolution cameras and sensors to conduct on-site evidence collection of explicit illegal acts in the form of static photographs or dynamic videos. Therefore, discovering illegal acts and collecting evidence can be completed simultaneously. However, in certain cases, the captured images may be blurred due to the weather conditions or limitations of marine environmental conditions, which may cause misjudgments on the on-scene situation by UAV's and thereby triggering disputes in terms of supervision or punishment.

New Breakbulk Routes & Strategic Acquisitions at Qingdao Port

Recently, the “Dongjiakou - North America” breakbulk route was successfully launched, further enriching the Dongjiakou port’s international shipping network.

As a key development area for Qingdao Port, Dongjiakou Port is designed to handle increasing transportation demand, primarily focusing on bulk commodities such as oil and products, metal ores, grain, coal, LNG, and containers. It also supports cargoes like steel and timber, while expanding into cold chain logistics and other specialized functions, further enhancing the port's commercial and comprehensive service capabilities.

On September 26, Qingdao Port has announced a major acquisition of four liquid bulk terminal companies under Shandong Port Group, with a total transaction value of 94.4 billion yuan. This marks the first M&A project since the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued new guidelines on M&A reforms.

The deal is expected to boost Qingdao Port’s asset size, revenue, and profitability significantly, marking a key step in the port’s ongoing modernization and digital transformation efforts.

2023, Qingdao Port ranks 4th globally in cargo throughput and 5th in container volume, a historic achievement that highlights the port’s growing global influence. With a total market value exceeding 500 billion yuan, Qingdao Port has maintained the highest rating (A) in the Shanghai Stock Exchange's information disclosure quality evaluation for four consecutive years.

One More Chinese 400,000-ton Ore Terminal Nears Completion

On October 15, Qingdao Port’s second 400,000-ton ore terminal achieved a key milestone with the successful installation of its final block. This marks significant progress in the construction, ensuring the project moves closer to completion in 2025.

The project is crucial for Shandong Province's port strategy, boosting Qingdao’s ability to handle large-scale iron ore shipments. With innovations like a temporary steel bridge for faster construction and optimized concrete transport, the project is running at full speed.

The table below shows the status of China's 400,000-ton bulk cargo terminals and those currently under construction.

China's Shipyards Lead the World in New Orders for 14 Ship Types

On 10 October, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released data showing that China's shipbuilding industry achieved significant growth in the first three quarters of 2024.

From January to September, China's shipyards completed 36.34 million deadweight tons (DWT) of shipbuilding, an 18.2% year-on-year increase. New orders surged to 87.11 million DWT, up 51.9%, while the order backlog reached 193.3 million DWT by the end of September, a 44.3% growth. As a result, China's shipbuilding industry accounted for 55.1% of global completions, 74.7% of new orders, and 61.4% of the global order book.

Remarkably, China secured over 70% of the world's green ship orders, covering all mainstream ship types. The focus on green, high-value, and proprietary technology-driven vessels has emerged as a key highlight for the industry.

Of the 18 major global ship types, Chinese shipyards ranked first in new orders for 14 types. With rapid market demand, shipbuilders across the country have already met or exceeded their business targets for the year.

Baselines for Huangyan Island released

China released baselines for the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Island on 10 November, a move to lawfully strengthen marine management.

The delimitation and declaration of the territorial sea baselines is a natural step by the Chinese government and is consistent with international law and common practices, the Foreign Ministry said in an online statement on Sunday.

The baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to the island were delimited and announced in accordance with international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone.

COSCO Shipping Launches Innovative Ammonia-Fueled ammonia/LPG Vessel Design

At COSCO Shipping, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. On October 30, 2024, COSCO Shipping Energy, in collaboration with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, unveiled a groundbreaking design for a 50,000-cubic-meter dual-fuel ammonia/LPG carrier. This pioneering vessel design, certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), China Classification Society, and DNV, represents a major milestone in global ammonia fuel application and a bold step towards achieving net-zero emissions.

This new ship design not only supports the industry's drive for greener, more energy-efficient solutions but also stands out for its exceptional economic and technical performance. Compared to existing models, this vessel offers a 1% increase in cargo capacity and a 0.5-ton reduction in daily fuel consumption while maintaining the same speed. By using ammonia as a primary fuel, with the option to carry LPG, it demonstrates potential for net-zero carbon emissions—a solution with tangible value for today’s environmental and operational demands.

The ammonia dual-fuel system brings COSCO Shipping’s innovation in clean energy to a new level. Enhanced by advanced safety features and optimized tank design, this vessel is set to enable safe and sustainable cross-regional green energy transport. Key technical advancements, including the A-shaped prismatic independent tank design, enhance cargo capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, furthering China’s position as a leader in liquid gas transport technology.

China to implement zero tariffs for LDCs

China has become the first developing country and major global economy to offer zero-tariff treatment on all products from the least developed countries (LDCs), strengthening solidarity and cooperation within the Global South while boosting Africa's exports, said the Ministry of Commerce.

This initiative is expected to play a key role in boosting LDCs' exports to China and help them seize opportunities in China's vast market, said He Yongqian, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Commerce.

China will implement a zero-tariff policy on 100 percent of products originating from the LDCs with which it has diplomatic ties, effective from Dec 1, said the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council in an online notice.

Under this policy, products subject to tariff quotas will see the in-quota tariff rate reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota tariff rate will remain unchanged.

This move will actively contribute to expanding exports from LDCs to China and help them seize new opportunities in the Chinese market. It will also promote solidarity and cooperation among the Global South and advance inclusive and equitable economic globalization.

For instance, China to date has signed framework agreements on economic partnership for common development with 22 African countries, including Ethiopia, Burundi, Gabon and Zimbabwe.

Both China and African nations regard these framework agreements as groundbreaking cooperation initiatives that will facilitate the establishment of more flexible and pragmatic arrangements for trade and investment liberalization as well as facilitation between the two sides.

LNG ship industry alliance established in Shanghai

An LNG ship industry alliance was established during the LNG ship industrial chain development convention held at Shanghai's Changxing Island, part of the city's efforts to build a world-class shipbuilding and offshore engineering industry cluster, according to official sources.

Being the birthplace of China's modern shipbuilding industry, Shanghai saw the scale of its shipbuilding and offshore industry reach 100.7 billion yuan ($14.36 billion) in 2023, and Changxing Island has become the nation's first demonstration base of the sector, with its shipbuilding and offshore engineering industrial output exceeding 51 billion yuan and gathering a slew of large shipyards and marine equipment manufacturing enterprises, the local news portal Shanghai Observer reported.

Taking the lead in China's liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier's research and manufacturing, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd has in the past 27 years completed the innovation and development of five generations of LNG carriers, and its products cover the complete industrial chain of LNG, said Song Wei, chief engineer at Hudong-Zhonghua, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC).

According to Song, Hudong-Zhonghua has so far received orders for building more than 100 LNG storage and transportation facilities, and more than 40 ships of them have been delivered.

Earlier in late April, the shipbuilder received orders of building 18 LNG carriers with a capacity of holding 271,000 cubic meters of LNG, which is the world's largest single order of ships.

The Largest 400,000-DWT VLOC to Be Fitted with Rotor Sails

In an exciting milestone for green shipping, the 400,000-DWT ore carrier "SOHAR MAX" has successfully docked at the No. 6 berth of Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, marking the beginning of its retrofit journey.

Under the assistance of five tugboats, this colossal vessel, measuring 360 meters in length and 65 meters in width, will undergo the installation of five ANEMOI foldable marine rotor sails, along with a control system upgrade.

The "SOHAR MAX" is now the second vessel to be fitted with rotor sails at Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry this year, following the successful retrofit of the "Camellia Dream." Notably, it will also become the largest ore carrier in the world to be equipped with this cutting-edge technology.

Rotor sails are installed on the ship’s deck and utilize wind energy to generate auxiliary thrust. Comprising a rotating lightweight outer cylinder, an internal support tower, base, drive mechanism, and control system, they provide excellent energy savings, intelligent operation, and reliable safety.

The rotor sails being fitted on the "SOHAR MAX" boast advanced hydraulic folding and automatic adjustment systems, with an outer cylinder diameter of 5 meters, a top disc diameter of 9 meters, and an overall height of 37.8 meters—equivalent to a 12-story building. Each rotor weighs 135 tons, with a maximum rotational speed of 200 revolutions per minute. According to estimates, these sails will reduce the vessel’s annual energy consumption by 6%, equating to a reduction of 3,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, highlighting their impressive impact on energy conservation and emission reduction.

China grants visa-free travel to Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia citizens

China will implement a visa-free policy for citizens of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia to further facilitate personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that starting from October 15, 2024 to December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports from the four European countries will be eligible for a visa exemption policy when traveling to China for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives or transit for up to 15 days.

Implementation of D-2 emission standard of the ballast water convention

The D-2 emission standard of the Ballast Water Convention has been fully and compulsorily implemented since September 8, 2024. The standard includes specific requirements for ballast water performance indicators such as viable microorganisms, toxic Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus.

Ships need to install a ballast water management system that meets the standard, be equipped with relevant certificates and documents, standardize the use of the "Ballast Water Record Book" (with a new format effective from February 1, 2025), submit the "Ballast Water Report" in a timely manner, and ensure that crew members are familiar with and follow the proper procedures for ballast water management.

The competent department supervises the management of ballast water, and there are specific measures for port state control inspections and potential legal responsibilities for violations. Shipowners and operators are reminded to pay attention to and update their ballast water treatment systems, cooperate with relevant certifications and inspections, and make detailed records and reports.

Another Chinese Shipping company Expands into Arctic Route

On September 9, 2024, Shanghai Dahua Shipping launched its first Arctic voyage with the Panamax bulk carrier PORTIA (IMO9283980). This marks the company’s entry into the Arctic shipping lane, an exciting milestone for the Shanghai-based firm that was established in 2019. With branches in Canada, Vietnam, and Russia, and a fleet of over 20 vessels, Shanghai Dahua Shipping is positioning itself as a key player in this emerging route.

While the maiden voyage is still underway, company officials have expressed their commitment to further investment and analysis of the Arctic route. This move signals Shanghai Dahua Shipping's ambitions to tap into new opportunities and strengthen its operational capabilities in the region. 

Here comes the world’s largest container ship - 27,500 TEU

On September 3rd, five new vessel designs from China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute received Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates during the SMM Hamburg Maritime Exhibition. These designs include the world's largest container ship, the 27,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel, along with a 20,000 TEU ammonia dual-fuel container ship, a 16,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, a 103,000 cubic meter Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), and a 93,000 cubic meter Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC).

The 27,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, GREEN SEALION 27500, developed by CSSC, sets a world record for container capacity and represents a major leap in maritime logistics efficiency. With optimized hull design and LNG dual-fuel propulsion, it meets IMO Phase III carbon reduction requirements and achieves zero emissions in port through shore power.

MSA issues the “Regulations on Ships’ Routeing System for the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River (2024)”

The "Regulations on Ships’ Routeing System for the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River (2024)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Routeing System (2024)") issued by the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China came into effect on 15th July, 2024.

Ⅰ. New Provisions 

Seven provisions have been added to the "Routeing System (2024)", namely Articles 14, 15, 22, 26, 29, 40 and 42. The new provisions focus on navigation and reporting requirements, safety measures and traffic security to ensure that all types of ships can navigate the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River safely and efficiently.

Ⅱ.Overview of the Revisions 

1.Encourages LNG ships to use the South Channel under the premise of safety and feasibility. (Article 15) 

2.New requirements have been added for ships intending to conduct testing on their engines, rudders, communications and emergency equipment, etc. (Article 22)

3.New requirements have been added to ensure the safe navigation of large towing fleets. (Article 26)

4.Optimize and improve the night navigation regulations for specific ships. (Articles 27 and 28)

5.The traffic protection provisions for key ships have been refined and improved, and the types of ships that are prioritized for traffic protection have been clearly identified. (Article 29)

6.Increased the types of ships that can meet in the 100-meter Slope Water Area of the deepwater channel at the Yangtze River Estuary, and restrictions have been imposed on the range of waters where new types of ships can meet. (Article 33)

7.Added reporting requirements for deep-draught ships entering the South Channel, and improved the reporting requirements for ships dropping and weighing anchor. (Article 14 and 35)

8.The period during which ships engaged in dredging and surveying operations to avoid operations have been clearly defined. (Article 42)

9.The scope of application of the "Routeing System (2024)" is adjusted to include the waters of the North Branch Channel in the waters of the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River. (Article 49)

10.Defined the area of the Artificial Construction Section of the South Channel and clarified the responsibilities of small ships to not impede the safe navigation of certain ships. (Articles 40 and 49)

11.Adjusted the buoy numbers and positions of the South Channel. (AppendixⅠ)

12.The resources and functions of the anchorage have been optimized by adding anchorage area No. 0 at Wusongkou Anchorage and the anchoring time limit of some anchorage areas have been adjusted. (Appendix Ⅳ)

More anchor position assigned to bunkering operation in Zhoushan

Since 5th Sep 2024, the number of bunkering positions in Zhoushan Tiaozhoumen anchorage has increased from five to eight, enabling more ships to take bunkers simultaneously and spend less time in waiting at anchorage.

Bunkering operations to be suspended when wind speeds are greater than 13.8m/s(Beaufort wind force scale 6) or height of waves exceed 1.5 meters, and bunkering is only allowed in daylight.

Chinese tonnage dues certificate is required for customs clearance.

Deeper channel project approved at Lianyungang

Recently, a project to further deepen the channel to accommodate vessels up to 400,000DWT in Lianyungang was approved by the local provincial government. The project is expected to break ground within 2024.

Upon completion, 400,000DWT vessels will be able to discharge at the port, enhancing Lianyungang’s position has a key hub, since it would be the only port in Jiangsu province able to receive ULOC/Valemax vessels.

Trade data exceeds expectations

The total value of China's goods trade was 28.58 trillion yuan ($4.01 trillion) in the first eight months of this year, up 6 percent year-on-year, of which exports reached 16.45 trillion yuan, up by 6.9 percent, and imports 12.13 trillion yuan, up by 4.7 percent, with a trade surplus of 4.32 trillion yuan, up 13.6 percent, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs.

In August, the import and export volume was 3.75 trillion yuan, of which exports accounted for 2.2 trillion yuan, up 2.9 percent from the preceding month and 8.4 percent from the year before. Imports totaled 1.56 trillion yuan, up 1 percent month-on-month and unchanged from the year before, with a trade surplus of 649.34 billion yuan.

The 8.4 percent export growth in August exceeded market expectations, mainly due to the increase in global demand. As China's foreign trade structure continues to optimize, its trade with emerging markets such as the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and Latin American countries, remains extremely vibrant. In addition, due to unstable policy prospects in Europe and the United States, geopolitical conflicts driving up shipping costs, and traditional consumption seasons, it is likely that some foreign retail traders have chosen to stock up, expanding China's foreign trade demands.

From a trend perspective, China's exports are expected to see moderate expansion. Despite facing weak global demand recovery, weakening base effect, and trade protection and geopolitical conflicts, the global economy is still expected to expand. 

Overall, China's well-performing exports and foreign trade surplus will provide a solid foundation for its economic growth in the third quarter and the whole year.

Revolutionizing Cargo Hold Cleaning - the HighMate C20 from RobotPlusPlus

The maritime industry is set to witness a transformative shift with the introduction of the HighMate C20, the latest innovation from RobotPlusPlus. This cutting-edge cargo hold cleaning robot is designed to tackle the toughest challenges faced by seafarers, particularly in the rigorous "coal-to-grain" cleaning processes.

RobotPlusPlus, an engineering-led company that develops working-at-height robots, launched its HighMate C20 Cargo Hold Cleaning Robot this week with live demonstrations at the SMM 2024 conference in Hamburg, Germany. The robot cleaner aims to bring reliability and efficiency to the cargo hold cleaning operations, by allowing safe deployment in most sea conditions, reaching up to 95% of the holds surface and with a more consistent and powerful system, all while protecting seafarers from the dangers of manual cleaning at heights.

The HighMate C20’s five powerful 500-bar high-pressure nozzles clean at 1-meter width at a coverage rate of 95%. Its maximum working pressure is equal to 100 times the pressure of a traditional fire hose and can clean up to 500 square meters per hour.

China's Shipbuilding Titans Set to Merge, Creating the World's Largest Shipbuilder

On the evening of the 2nd of September, China’s shipbuilding industry announced a historic merger between two of its largest players, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).

This merger is expected to be the largest within the A-share market in nearly a decade.

CSSC and CSIC, both subsidiaries of the central state-owned enterprise China State Shipbuilding Corporation, have announced that CSSC will absorb CSIC through a stock swap, creating a supergiant in the global shipbuilding industry.

The transaction, which is classified as a major asset restructuring under Chinese regulations, will not change the ultimate control of either company. However, the merger is expected to enhance operational efficiency and consolidate the companies' strengths in shipbuilding and marine engineering.

In the first half of 2024, CSSC reported a revenue of RMB 36.017 billion, a 17.99% year-on-year increase, with net profits rising by an impressive 155.31%.

CSIC also saw significant gains, with revenue reaching RMB 22.102 billion, up 31.05%, and net profits increasing by 177.13%.

Industry experts believe that the merger of CSSC and CSIC will resolve existing competition between the two entities, streamline operations, and drive deeper integration of advanced technologies.

This merger looks to set a new benchmark for industry consolidation, demonstrating the potential of state-owned enterprise reform and the emergence of new production capabilities. As the world’s largest shipbuilder, the merged entity will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the global maritime industry.

Navigation safety advisory - fishing peak season comes

The 4-month long fishing ban just ended on 1st September in Bohai and the Yellow sea. Masses of fishing boats set sail towards coastal waters and into fishing grounds, posing extensive danger to commercial shipping. All cargo vessels should navigate with extreme caution and good seamanship when in the vicinity to avoid collision and close quarter situations with other fishing boats, or damage to the fishing gears, especially those unlighted in night time.

Zhoushan emerges as China's top ship refueling port

In a remarkable achievement, Zhoushan, a city in East China's Zhejiang province, has solidified its position as the largest ship refueling port in China, surpassing an annual refueling volume of seven million metric tons.

The strategic location and innovative services at the maritime refueling station have propelled Zhoushan to the forefront of the nation's maritime industry. The introduction of cutting-edge technologies, such as the Marine Digital Refueling Station, has revolutionized the refueling process, significantly reducing wait times and operational costs for international vessels.

The rapid development of Zhoushan's maritime refueling capabilities can be attributed to the comprehensive reform and opening-up policies of the Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone. By streamlining customs procedures and embracing digitalization, Zhoushan has attracted international vessels seeking high-quality and efficient refueling services.

Zhoushan's commitment to innovation is evident in its adoption of practices like "One Ship, Multiple Supplies" and "One Ship, Multiple Services," offering a diverse range of maritime services beyond refueling. These initiatives have not only enhanced the port's competitiveness but also elevated its status as a global leader in ship refueling.

As Zhoushan continues to pave the way for the maritime industry's future, the introduction of the "Zhoushan Price" trading system, denominated in Chinese yuan, marks a milestone in the global refueling market. This groundbreaking initiative signals Zhoushan's unwavering dedication to driving progress and reshaping the dynamics of the maritime refueling sector.

World's first river-sea LNG bunkering vessel delivered ahead of schedule

The world's first river-sea liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel was delivered in Shanghai on Friday, two months ahead of its schedule, according to China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), the world's largest shipbuilding company.

With a length of 130 meters and a width of 23.6 meters, the ship has a capacity of 14,000 cubic meters. Named as Huaihe Nengyuan Qihang, it is independently researched, developed, designed, and constructed by Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd, a subsidiary of CSSC.

The vessel, which can navigate both in oceans and the Yangtze River, is tailor-made for serving one-stop LNG bunkering and transportation.

The ship has a localization rate of above 85 percent, the highest among domestic LNG storage and transportation facilities. By collaborating with dozens of domestic enterprises, Hudong-Zhonghua successfully researched and manufactured a series of innovative equipment for the ship, including a reliquefaction unit, a natural gas compressor, dual-fuel generator sets, and an electric propulsion system.

New container terminal opened up in Shanghai

Shanghai, the world's largest container port, has opened a brand new container terminal area to the north of the city centre on the south bank of the Yangtze River to go alongside existing container terminals in Waigaoqiao and Yangshan.

The first phase of Shanghai Luojing Port opened this week, adding an extra 2.6m TEU in annual capacity to the city. The area is a redeveloped bulk terminal that local steel mills used to use. Phase one of the automated terminal features five berths, with further phases expected to give Luojing a total capacity of 6m TEU. 

Shanghai has built up an unprecedented commanding 10m TEU lead over its nearest boxport rival in rankings of the top 30 container ports worldwide compiled by Alphaliner. 

Shanghai has been the world's largest container port for the last 14 years, beating Singapore into second place. It now stands on the cusp of being the first place in the world to handle 50m teu in a calendar year.

China to implement steps for foreign trade growth

Amid rising protectionism and geopolitical risks, China will implement a series of measures in the second half of the year to sustain and enhance its positive foreign trade trajectory, customs officials said on Tuesday.

The measures include creating a conducive institutional framework to expand intermediate goods trade, facilitating imports of advanced technological equipment and key components, and supporting the growth of new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouse operations.

Chinese exporters, driven by a marginal improvement in external demand and their own technological innovations, stimulated a new momentum in foreign trade in the first half of the year, providing the world with innovative and high-quality products.

China set a new record in the first half, with foreign trade reaching 21.17 trillion yuan ($2.92 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent, while exports surged 6.9 percent on a yearly basis to 12.13 trillion yuan, customs statistics showed.

Qingdao Port introduced a high-voltage shore power robot

On July 15th, the high-voltage shore power robot, independently developed by Qingdao Port Automation Terminal of Shandong Port Group, was officially put into use.

The testing phase was successfully completed, with a connected volume of 271,000 kWh, reducing approximately 240 tons of carbon emissions. When the robot is officially put into use, it will be able to meet the high-voltage shore power needs of various types of vessels. The rate of shore power connection is expected to increase by over 25%, with an annual connected volume of 2.6 million kWh, reducing carbon emissions by 2,299.18 tons.

Notice of Tianjin MSA on Issuing the “Ships’ Routeing System for Central Waters of Bohai Bay”

Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration (Tianjin MSA) recently issued the navigation notice of "Jinhangtong [2024] 0049". This notice announced the "Ships’ Routeing System for Central Waters of Bohai Bay (for Trial Implementation)", which has been implemented on a trial basis from June 1, 2024.

The Routeing System consists of No.1 Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), No.1 Precautionary Area, No.2 TSS and No.2 Precautionary Area.

Ships following the Routeing System are not required to report to Tianjin VTS when entering or leaving the applicable waters, however they are expected to maintain continuous listening watch on VHF channel 09.

The principles to be observed by ships when navigating within the waters of the Routeing System are basically the same as those in Rule 10 of the “Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972”, such as the actions to be taken for ships when crossing or entering/leaving traffic lanes, as well as other prohibited actions, etc. It should be noted that ships crossing the traffic lanes must meet certain preconditions and should report to Tianjin VTS before crossing. In addition, when overtaking other ships in the waters of the Routeing System, the overtaking ship must obtain the consent of the overtaken ship and report to Tianjin VTS in advance.

A new shipping company in China is coming

On July 22nd, the founding conference and the first shareholders' meeting of Shandong Ocean Shipping Group Co., Ltd. took place in Qingdao, marking a significant milestone as Shandong Port Shipping Group restructured into Shandong Ocean Shipping Group.

Founded on March 27, 2020, Shandong Port Shipping Group Co., Ltd. is an international shipping company under Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd., headquartered in Qingdao with a registered capital of RMB 300 million.

Leveraging a brand-new platform for integrated reform and development of Shandong ports, the company aims to integrate port and shipping resources within the province, achieving synergistic growth and becoming a comprehensive shipping enterprise focused on container, bulk cargo, and passenger transport.

Over the past four years, Shandong Ocean Shipping Group has seen continuous growth in its operational performance, expanded its business scope, and accelerated its development pace. The company has established stable partnerships with numerous international shipping lines and clients, earning a stellar reputation in the industry and becoming a critical growth driver for the high-quality development of Shandong ports.

The 100th LNG related vessel was ordered

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding recently secured its 100th LNG equipment vessel order. The company signed a contract with French energy giant TotalEnergies for the construction of 1+1 V3.0 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessels. This milestone underscores Hudong-Zhonghua's leadership in the LNG transport sector.

Previously, the company delivered the V1.0 version "Gas Agility" and the V2.0 version "Gas Vitality," two 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessels, which received high praise and became the main ship types for TotalEnergies in the LNG bunkering sector. According to statistics, the two vessels have completed over 200 LNG bunkering operations, providing solutions for global ship decarbonization journeys and bringing significant economic benefits to TotalEnergies.

International Shipping Industry Expo 2024 kicks off in Tianjin

Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, aiming to build a platform for international cooperation and exchange in the shipping industry.

The four-day expo set nine exhibition areas to all-round display shipping industry chain equipment, technology and services, attracting over 400 enterprises, well-known ports, and industry associations.

During the expo, the Port Economic Development Report of Chinese Seaport Cities 2024 was released by the Transport Planning and Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport.

According to the report, Chinese seaport cities saw the added value of their port economy amount to 6.2 trillion yuan ($869.05 billion) in 2023, which accounted for 13.4 percent of these cities' total economic output. The added value increased by 192.9 billion yuan over the previous year.

In 2023, the port economy accounted for 15 percent, 22 percent and 8 percent of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in seaport cities, respectively, significantly supporting the primary and secondary industries, the report said.

The report noted that China's port economy is still based on fundamental traditional industries, facing the problems of low technological content, incomplete industrial chain and less cluster development.

China Increases Production of Green Marine Methanol

On June 14th, China Marine Bunker Supply Company (CHIMBUSCO), CGN New Energy, and COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the "20,000 Tons per Year Green Methanol Project in Balin Zuoqi."

Located in Balin Zuoqi, Chifeng City, this project is led by CGN New Energy, which oversees the construction of a 500,000-kilowatt integrated wind, solar, and hydrogen project. The downstream industry of wind power hydrogen production involves the synthesis of green methanol from biomass, with an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of methanol based on the hydrogen production scale.

CHIMBUSCO is responsible for the utilization of the green methanol products, supplying fuel for ocean-going vessels. COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain is in charge of the transportation and storage of the green methanol.

The signing of this strategic cooperation agreement further advances the collaboration across the entire industrial chain of wind and solar hydrogen synthesis of green methanol, from production to transportation, storage, refueling, and utilization.

The three parties will fully leverage their respective advantages, using the green methanol industry and supply chain as a starting point to further expand their cooperation fields and scope. This effort aims to create a mutually beneficial situation for corporate development and the economic growth of Chifeng.

Requirements for the Use of Shore Power in Chinese Ports

The requirement for vessels to use shore-based power facilities when berthed within China was launched back in 2019. The law states, that any vessel (except for tankers) equipped to use shore power should do so at berths which supply shore power, when staying for more than 3 hours at Chinese Domestic Emission Control Areas (DECA). For inland river emission control areas, that period is down to 2 hours. However, if a vessel chooses to use alternative power generation measures such as clean energy, new energy, onboard UPS or auxiliary engines, they are free to do so instead of plugging in to the shore supply. Since 2021, cruise ships were also required to use the shore power facilities when berthing for more than 3 hours within DECAs, also with the option to use alternative sources.

Although the above laws existed, vessels were given a courtesy transitional period of flexibility to get acquainted. However, that period has come to an end. Oceanfavor has seen a rise in cases were ships are being fined based on the above laws, and would like to remind all vessels calling Chinese ports to check for the corresponding local regulations, so as to avoid any issues.

In accordance with the “Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China”, when reaching a port, if a ship is equipped for the use of shore power yet fails to do so, may be subject to a fine of minimum 10,000 yuan and maximum 100,000 yuan. If the circumstances are serious, a fine of minimum 100,000 yuan and maximum 500,000 yuan may be given.

Additionally, for ships berthing in ports in the Yangtze River, the "Measures for the Administration of Port and Ship on Shore Power" further details the penalty amount stipulated in the “Yangtze River Protection Law of the People's Republic of China” based on the aggregated rated power of the generator sets of the ships that violate the regulations:

(1) If the aggregated rated power of a ship's generator set is less than or equal to 2,000 KW, a fine of minimum 10,000 yuan and maximum 20,000 yuan shall be imposed; If the circumstances are serious, a fine of minimum 100,000 yuan and maximum 200,000 yuan shall be imposed;

(2) If the aggregated rated power of a ship's generator set is between 2,000 KW and 8,000 KW (inclusive), a fine of minimum 20,000 yuan and maximum 50,000 yuan shall be imposed; If the circumstances are serious, a fine of minimum 200,000 yuan and maximum 300,000 yuan shall be imposed;

(3) If the aggregated rated power of a ship's generator set is more than 8,000 KW, a fine of minimum 50,000 yuan and maximum 100,000 yuan shall be imposed; If the circumstances are serious, a fine of minimum 300,000 yuan and maximum 500,000 yuan shall be imposed.

World's First Container Ship Methanol Dual-Fuel Retrofit Completed

On 23 June, the world's first methanol dual-fuel retrofit container ship, the 950 TEU feeder container ship "ECO UMANDE" was successfully delivered. This project was undertaken by Pacific Ocean Engineering (Zhoushan) Co., Ltd.

The "ECO UMANDE" owned by Singapore-based feeder container ship owner X-Press Feeders, marks the beginning of a new era of alternative fuel retrofitting for existing vessels. 

Built by New Dayang Shipbuilding under SUMEC Marine, the ship was initially designed with a methanol fuel reserve. However, due to the rapid advancement of decarbonization and marine methanol fuel, the owner decided to retrofit the vessel for dual-fuel capability upon delivery. The retrofit project was contracted by SUMEC Marine to Pacific Ocean Engineering (Zhoushan).

The retrofit project involved installing seven new systems, including the methanol fuel system, nitrogen system, bilge water system in the methanol equipment room, methanol tank vent and sweep system, LFSS instrument air system, foam system, as well as further modifications to eight existing systems. These include the CO2 system, ship-wide air measurement system, engine room water supply system, high and low-temperature freshwater cooling system, compressed air system, control air system, fire water system, and ventilation system.

Key retrofit tasks included prefabrication, installation, pressure testing, system commissioning, and methanol filling of 316L stainless steel pipelines for the methanol supply and auxiliary systems, totaling about 3,000 meters with approximately 3,000 weld joints.

Shanghai celebrates 20th National Maritime Day with various themed activities

Various themed activities were launched in East China's Shanghai on Thursday in celebration of the 20th National Maritime Day.

"The National Maritime Day has become a festival of the highest level, the widest popularity and the most comprehensive event in China's maritime sector," Wang Weiren, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, said during the launch ceremony of the themed activities in Shanghai.

Shanghai Port has held the title of the world's busiest container port for 14 consecutive years, and a growing number of shipping enterprises and institutions have made their presence in Shanghai. The city has been constantly improving its high-end shipping service functions and technologies of maritime science, shipbuilding as well as green and low-carbon initiatives are being upgraded at accelerated paces.

"As Shanghai is actively building an international shipping center in an accelerated race, it requires us to further open-up and take stronger measures to enhance Shanghai port's infrastructure capability, high-end shipping service, intelligent and low-carbon development. We will speed up Shanghai International Shipping Center's development towards the directions of digital, intelligent and green," said Wang.

China included Australia, New Zealand and Poland in list of unilateral visa-free countries

China announced to include Australia and New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries in June when the Chinese premier visited the two Oceanian countries.

In the meantime, when meeting his Polish counterpart in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on 24 June that China has decided to implement a 15-day unilateral visa-free policy for Polish citizens.

Previously, China extended the visa-free entry policies to the end of 2025 for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Some facts & tips on PSC inspections in China from Oceanfavor’s perspective

Did you know that a total of over 7,700 PSC inspections were carried out in 2023 in China ports, and the detention rate was around 10%?

Obviously, China MSA is rather strict in terms of PSC inspections, compared to the benchmark figures of Tokyo MOU or Paris MOU.

Over the past few years, Oceanfavor has been providing all sorts of assistance to various owners/management companies to optimize their performances in PSC inspections. Below are some of our tips to get the best possible outcome, summarized from our extensive experiences of real-world cases, among all the major ports in China, through the engagements between ship masters, PSC officials and Oceanfavor front line staff:

• 1)Pre-arrival preparation. It is important to have sound and early communication with Oceanfavor staff, to understand the general prevailing atmosphere around PSC in China, what are the key focus areas and/or any special PSC inspection campaigns, the lessons from most recent inspections etc. That way the whole ship is fully prepared for a smooth inspection.
• 2)The attitude. Our experience suggests that the attitude of the crew is just as if not more important than professionalism in some cases. Therefore, the master of the vessel and all other crew members onboard should demonstrate a positive and cooperative attitude towards the PSCO. A welcoming and respectful demeanor can set the tone for a constructive and professional inspection, sometimes even mitigating minor shortcomings.
• 3)The PSCO will not only talk to the master and high rank officers. It is crucial for all crew members to have a thorough understanding of the PSC requirements. This includes familiarity with international maritime conventions and regulations as well as any specific requirements of the Chinese port authorities. Crew members should be able to demonstrate their knowledge in several areas, such as safety procedures, pollution prevention measures, and emergency response plans, as well as the corresponding physical operations. Regular training and refresher courses can help to maintain this level of understanding and preparedness.
• 4)The following were shared by PSCO as a reminder for pre-arrival preparation: 1) All certificates and documents related to the ship’s safety system must be available for random inspection; 2) Equipment that has irregular usage and not critical, can still be inspected anytime regardless whether it has been properly maintained;
• 5)Good communication with the PSCO is essential throughout the inspection process. There may be cases where language constraints are a concern. The crew members should remain polite, professional and engage in constructive dialogue. They should be able to explain the vessel's operations and procedures clearly and concisely. If there are any discrepancies or misunderstandings, these should be addressed promptly and in a cooperative manner. In fact, constructive communication by shipping companies with the MSA authority can improve a PSCO’s “first-impression”, which is helpful in achieving a good inspection outcome.
• 6)Over years of improvement, the process and procedures of China PSC is becoming more sophisticated than before, which means that it is becoming more challenging to intervene into any of the PSC results afterward. It is much more an issue of pre-readiness on an overall basis from all possible aspects.

We have found the below additional tips that might optimize the final PSC report:

• a.Seriously controversial deficiencies, if argued in a professional and polite way, might not be recorded
• b.Minor deficiencies such as tiny leakage of pipelines might not be recorded
• c.Deficiencies that are rectified immediately on the spot might not be recorded
• d.Deficiencies found by a crew member and already handled properly might not be recorded

As always, Oceanfavor with its 190 dedicated agency staff and over 20 years of close professional relationships with China MSA authority, are ready to assist you to navigate through the PSC waters in a professional manner, for a best possible result of PSC inspections.

China initiates construction of world's largest electric container ships

To achieve its goal of sustainable maritime transportation, China has initiated the construction of two of the world’s largest electric container ships. These vessels, with a capacity of 740 twenty-foot equivalent units(TEUs), are set to revolutionize coastal container ship operations. They produce zero emissions and operate on pure electric propulsion. They also represent a significant step forward in the country’s commitment to environmental conservation.

Independently designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute(SDARI), a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation(CSSC), the ships were commissioned by Ningbo Ocean Shipping and will be constructed by Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding Corporation.

Measuring 127.8 meters in length and 21.6 meters in width, these vessels are tailored for domestic coastal navigation, specifically targeting a route between two ports in Zhejiang province, one in Ningbo, the other in Jiaxing Zhapu town.

The ships feature advanced technologies, including an electric propulsion cabin at the stern and a wind resistance-reducing superstructure at the bow to minimize vibration and noise. Powered by 10 box batteries totaling around 19,000 kilowatt-hours, the vessels incorporate a multi-level battery management system that ensures safety by isolating batteries from living spaces and cargo areas.

Furthermore, the ships are equipped with lightweight lashing bridges, a fall and collision prevention platform with a photovoltaic system for renewable energy generation, and the ability to maintain effective propulsion even in fault mode. The vessels can swiftly recharge at ports using high-voltage shore power stations or have their batteries replaced via lifting mechanisms.

The ships will also feature intelligent system integration platforms that enable real-time monitoring of external surroundings, route planning, unmanned driving, and autonomous collision avoidance. A shore-based operation and maintenance center will facilitate the remote monitoring and control of the equipment on both ships.

FSMC(ex AGM) high risk infestation period starts on June 1

According to the bulletin released by Canadian Food Inspection Agency and United States Department of Agriculture this year, North China(north of latitude 31̊15’N) is now defined as an FSMC high risk infestation area between June 1 and September 30.

However, as per circulars from Argentina and Chile, all ports north of 20̊N, including Yangpu and Macun ports located on Hainan island, shall enter into an FSMC high risk infestation period as of June 1 till September 30.

FSMC inspection and certification services are available on request in most China ports and are carried out by CCIC, who is the only authorized organization to perform the inspection.

China's foreign trade up 6.3% in first 5 months

China's total goods imports and exports expanded 6.3 percent year-on-year in yuan terms in the first five months of this year, official data showed on June 7.

The country's exports rose 6.1 percent year-on-year in the January-May period, while imports climbed 6.4 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.

From January to May, the country's foreign trade in goods stood at 17.5 trillion yuan (about $2.46 trillion). Exports reached 9.95 trillion yuan, while imports hit 7.55 trillion yuan.

In May alone, the foreign trade grew 8.6 percent to 3.71 trillion yuan.

Visa-free entry allowed for tour groups at all cruise ports

On Wednesday, China announced and implemented a policy allowing visa-free entry for foreign tourist groups disembarking from cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.

Foreign tourist groups comprising of two or more individuals and organized or received by domestic Chinese travel agencies can enter the country visa-free via cruise ship ports in 13 cities and stay for up to 15 days, according to a statement issued by the National Immigration Administration.

All members of each group should travel together on the same cruise ship to the next port until the vessel leaves China, with activities limited to coastal provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as Beijing.

China Marine Bunker completes largest domestic single-ship biofuel bunkering of 3,850 Tons

On June 5th, at Shenzhen Shekou Container Terminal, China Marine Bunker Supply Co., Ltd. (China Marine Bunker) successfully completed the bunkering of 3,850 tons of biofuel (B24) for COSCO Shipping Lines' "New Asia" vessel. This 14-hour operation marks the largest single-ship biofuel bunkering in China, setting a new milestone for the large-scale supply of marine biofuels domestically.

Using low-carbon and environmentally friendly biodiesel is crucial for China to achieve its carbon reduction targets, control air pollution, diversify its energy structure, ensure energy security, and increase the proportion of renewable energy in transportation fuels. The B24 marine biofuel, composed of 24% biodiesel and 76% low-sulfur fuel oil, reduces carbon emissions by approximately 20.4%. Biofuel can be used directly in ship engines and boilers without modifying existing propulsion equipment, making it an attractive "drop-in green fuel" for ships.

China's first 5M wind-assisted rotor for ships unveiling

On May 31, 2024, CSSC (Shanghai) Marine Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. held a grand launch event in Shanghai, introducing their groundbreaking 5M large-scale wind-assisted rotor. After 12 years of dedicated research and development, this next-generation ship energy-saving device was finally unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry.

In response to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) new regulations on greenhouse gas emissions (EEDI, EEXI, and CII), wind-assisted propulsion has emerged as an ideal solution for energy-saving and emission reduction. The rotor operates on the Magnus Effect, akin to the spin seen in banana kicks in soccer or curveballs in table tennis.

CSSC (Shanghai) Marine Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd, leveraging its strong research foundation, targeted the wind-assisted rotor project. Through theoretical analysis, model testing, and prototype trials, they overcame six key technological challenges, including rotor aerodynamics, mechanical structure, and energy-saving effect forecasting methods.

The newly launched 5M rotor, the first of its kind in China, is designed to enhance energy efficiency and CII ratings for ships of 80,000 tons and above. Depending on the deck space, up to five units can be installed, achieving over 20% energy savings. For instance, installing three units on an 82,000-ton bulk carrier can save over 600 tons of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2,000 tons annually.

The device boasts three main advantages: superior sustained thrust (up to 260kN), long-term stability (with excellent performance under 180rpm continuous operation), and ease of maintenance (with clear internal system layouts ensuring safety and convenience).

A new Chinese Capesize bulk carrier owner has emerged

On May 31st, BAO-NYK Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, officially took delivery of its first Capesize bulk carrier, the BNS DONGSHAN. This marks a significant milestone for the company, transitioning from a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to a ship owner. 

In response to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) new regulations on greenhouse gas emissions (EEDI, EEXI, and CII), wind-assisted propulsion has emerged as an ideal solution for energy-saving and emission reduction. The rotor operates on the Magnus Effect, akin to the spin seen in banana kicks in soccer or curveballs in table tennis.

With this acquisition, the global shipping market now has another key player in the Capesize bulk carrier segment.

BAO-NYK Shipping Company Limited operates under the Baowu Resources Logistics Division, a subsidiary of Baowu Steel Group. Established in Singapore in 2013, BAO-NYK is jointly owned by Baowu Resources Holdings and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (@NYK Line). The company primarily provides ocean transportation services for Baowu's iron ore imports from Australia.

According to information from MarineTraffic, the BNS DONGSHAN was built in 2011, measuring 292 meters in length, 45 meters in beam, and with a maximum draft of 18.24 meters. It is an 181,572 dwt Capesize bulk carrier.

The successful signing of the purchase agreement and the official delivery of the BNS DONGSHAN represent BAO-NYK's entry into the Capesize bulk carrier ownership arena. This acquisition opens new horizons for Baowu Resources' maritime logistics operations for its overseas mining projects.

Currently, the BNS DONGSHAN primarily serves the Australian "Silk Road Powder" mining project for Baowu Resources. In the future, it will also support the Simandou project, providing a more reliable solution for the stable transportation of iron ore, further ensuring the long-haul capacity for Baowu Resources' overseas mining projects.

Customs scraps requirement for health status declarations

China's General Administration of Customs announced on Tuesday the ending of mandatory health declarations for individuals entering or exiting the Chinese mainland, starting Nov 1.

Both inbound and outbound passengers will no longer need to fill in the entry or exit health declaration form, according to the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law and the rules for its implementation.

However, individuals showing symptoms of infectious diseases such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, unexplained subcutaneous bleeding, or those already diagnosed with infectious diseases must voluntarily report their health status to customs officers.

People with infectious disease symptoms must cooperate with customs in carrying out health quarantine procedures, including temperature checks, epidemiological investigations, medical examinations and sample testing, it said.

China adopted the quarantine declaration system in January 2020 as a measure to combat COVID-19, requiring travelers to fill in exit/entry health declaration forms and declare their health to customs.

China MSA: Provisions on Control of Targeting Ships

The Provisions apply to ships flying Chinese flags, and foreign ships that sail, berth, or operate at ports (including mooring points at sea), inland waters and territorial seas of China.

Target ships include:

• Ships flying Chinese flags who have been detained twice within 12 months for failing safety inspections (including Port State Control) and foreign ships detained twice within 12 months in Port State Control by China MSA;；
• Ships refusing to cooperate after violating laws and regulations;
• Ships with certificates that are forged, altered, transferred, bought, or leased, or ships of which the structure and arrangement have been altered without approval by the relevant authorities;
• All ships of a shipping company involved in a marine casualty with 5 or more persons lost or missing, and found to have major problems in safety management after investigation;
• All ships of a shipping company of which one third of ships flying Chinese flags are listed as target ships.

Control measures of Foreign Target Ships:

Port State Control (PSC) of foreign target ships should not be influenced by factors such as sailing schedules, loading/unloading, etc, and should be conducted in each calling port if conditions permit. The reason should be reported to regional MSA when the inspection is not conducted.

MSAs at all levels should enhance the control and conduct more-detailed inspections of target ships in the latest list.

As the biggest non-governmental shipping agency in China, Oceanfavor is capable and most willing to assist and coordinate in PSC inspections.

China's import and export volume grows by 0.03% year-on-year in first 10 months

China's total import and export volume grew by 0.03 percent year-on-year, reaching 34.32 trillion yuan ($4.72 trillion) between January and October, as the country's foreign trade posts a stable recovery despite mounting external challenges.

Over the period, the country's exports grew by 0.4 percent year-on-year to hit 19.55 trillion yuan, while imports declined by 0.5 percent year-on-year to reach 14.77 trillion yuan, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Tuesday.

Between January and October, the ASEAN remained China's largest trading partner, followed by the EU and the US.

It's worth noting that China's imports from the US grew by 0.2 percent year-on-year between January and October to reach 948.87 billion yuan, official data showed. Recently, a delegation of Chinese enterprises signed 11 agricultural purchase contracts with US exporters worth billions of dollars, one of the few mass signings since the US initiated a trade war against China in 2018.

Zhoushan ranked 4th biggest refueling port around the world and Oceanfavor remained the top bunkering agent in the port

The 6th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference 2023 was held on October 25 in Zhoushan.

The China Petroleum Circulation Association (CPCA) announced the "ten biggest ports for ships refueling all around the world" and the "ten biggest enterprises for ships refueling all around the world" in 2022 during the conference. Zhoushan port ranked 4th while Singapore and Rotterdam shared the 1st and 2nd places, Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co. and Chimbusco ranked 2nd and 4th biggest refueling enterprises respectively.

According to the data disclosed, total 6.02 million tons of fuel were supplied to ships at Zhoushan in 2022.

Being committed to marine bunkering agency business for decades, Oceanfavor remained the biggest agents for 2 consecutive years in terms of volume of ships and fuels handled in Zhoushan.

Anchorages management mechanism in Yangtze river set up

To optimize the operational procedure and efficiently leverage the anchorage resource in Yangtze river waters, a on-line centralized anchorage management system was launched on October 28, users like ships, shipowners, operators and agents may apply for anchor berths online by logging on the applications newly designed.

Navigation restricted areas of Miaodao Archipelago in Bohai Sea

Recently, many merchant vessels were ordered to stop for investigation when passing through the navigation restricted areas of Miaodao Archipelago for calling at Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Jingtang, Longkou and other ports around the Bohai Bay.

Miaodao Archipelago in the Bohai sea area is a restricted area where merchant vessels are not allowed to navigate except through the Laotieshan channel and/or the Changshan Channel. The location of the aforementioned restricted area is published on the ECDIS and also in navigation warnings and Notice to Mariners. As some merchant vessels may not be aware of such restrictions, when calling the ports around the Bohai Bay, they sometimes pass through this area unintentionally to save time and distance.

The sketch of Laotieshan Channel and Changshan Channel is enclosed hereunder, where navigation is allowed for merchant vessels.

In such cases, local MSA would usually conduct investigation on the vessel and will not give green light to her departure until the investigation is completed. Meanwhile, owners and the crew members may be subject to penalties in case the violation is confirmed by MSA.

In addition, as there are some fishery farms and fixed fishing nets in this restricted area, civil claims may be lodged by the local fishery farm owners due to damages caused by the vessel.

Foreign vessels are reminded to pay attention to the above navigation restricted areas at Miaodao Archipelago in the Bohai sea and to avoid these areas except passing through the two nominated channels.

China's first domestically made large cruise ship delivered

China's first domestically made large cruise ship Adora Magic City was named and delivered to its operator on November 4, making China the only country in the world to have mastered the technologies of building aircraft carriers, large liquefied natural gas carriers and large cruise ships at the same time.

After eight years of research and development, as well as five years of design and construction, the 135,500-gross-tonnage vessel is going to make its maiden commercial voyage on the first day of 2024, according to official sources.

China's shipbuilding sector sees rise in deliveries and newbuildings

China's shipbuilding industry continued to lead globally in the first eight months of this year with double-digit increases in both output and newbuildings, industry data showed.

The country's shipbuilding output reached 27.98 million dwt (deadweight tons) in this period, up 16.9 percent increase year-on-year, according to the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry.

Newbuildings in China's shipbuilding sector surged 86.5 percent from last year to total 52.31 million dwt, the association said.

The output accounts for 49 percent of the global total, and newbuildings amount to a 68.8 percentage share, the data revealed.

China's ship exports maintained robust growth momentum in the first eight months of 2023, with the export value surging 20.2 percent year-on-year to $16.18 billion.

International cruises fully resume after hiatus of 3 years

China's Ministry of Transport on Tuesday announced a full resumption of international cruise voyages in the country, after the successful pilot program that reintroduced international cruise operations in Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province

In a notice issued to various relevant local departments, the ministry outlined various measures and preparations to ensure the safe and efficient operation of international cruise tours.

In addition to regular requirements, such as legal qualifications for the port and the operator, and safety and navigability standards of cruise vessels, the ministry requires newly built vessels or those that did not operate during the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct a sea trial in accordance with regulations to test vessel status.

The operators and ports are ordered to refine COVID-19 control protocols and stock necessary materials, the ministry said.

China's soybean imports up 15% in January-July period

China imported 62.3 million tons of soybeans in the first seven months of this year, up 15 percent from a year earlier, customs data showed.

In July alone, the country's soybean imports reached 9.73 million tons, down from 10.27 million tons in June but more than the 7.88 million tons imported in the same month last year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

The per-tonne value of the soybean imports increased 1.3 percent year-on-year in the first seven months to 4,334.6 yuan ($605.39).

The country, as the world's largest soybean importer, imported a total of 91.08 million tons of soybeans last year. Imported soybeans are usually crushed into meal for animal feed in China.

First dual-fuel car truck carrier ship built in Guangzhou

The first dual-fuel pure car truck carrier (PCTC) built in the southern Chinese region was delivered for use after a delivery and acceptance ceremony was organized in Guangzhou's Nansha district on Tuesday.

The 7,000-vehicle dual-fuel PCTC, named Emden, was jointly constructed by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co. Ltd (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd (CSTC) for Norway's SFL company.

The vessel has a total of 13 decks that can accommodate approximately 7,000 vehicles, including two decks capable of carrying hydrogen fuel vehicles.

Emden is designed with a natural gas (LNG)/fuel dual fuel propulsion system, with a maximum range of 15,000 nautical miles.

With contracts to build 25 PCTCs in hand, GSI has now become the shipbuilder with the second largest construction orders for PCTCs in the world.

New Guidelines for 38 High Risk Collision Precaution Zones

China MSA recently issued a new Guidelines for the Prevention of Collisions between Merchant Vessels and Fishing Vessels.

The Guidelines identify 38 sea areas designated as high-risk precaution zones for collisions involving merchant and fishing vessels, where shipping routes and fishing grounds overlap. The Guidelines contain detailed safety navigation advice, with emphasis being made on high levels of vigilance with enhanced bridge watchkeeping and lookout duties. The Guidelines are for vessels to conduct a collision risk assessment and make voyage plans that take particular features of fishing vessels in those areas into account, including keeping a minimum of two watch standers consistently on the bridge, amongst other measures. The Guidelines also set out the action to take to avoid a collision in these areas, including communications and lights to be used, and emergency rescue in case of a collision.

For full details please refer to the Guidelines, which includes an English translation,here. The table of high-risk precaution zones can be accessed here.

First Capesize bulker lightened at Jingzhou

Jingzhou recently became a new option for large bulk carriers to lighten cargo in China. On 27th September 2023, MV Spring Bright carrying iron ore successfully lightened part cargo at Jingzhou before she proceeds to her final destination port. The breakthrough will significantly increase the annual throughput of the port and facilitate bulk ore trading in NE China region.

Biodiesel fuel delivered to ship at Zhoushan

The first order of biodiesel fuel was delivered to a container ship MV Xin Ming Zhou by bunker barge MT Si Jie 21 at Zhoushan Mazhi inner anchorage by means of ship-to-ship transfer operation on October 9, 2023, marking the new start of multiple marine fuels supply at Zhoushan.

The fuel, called B24 biodiesel fuel, consists of 24% biodiesel fuel and 76% conventional low sulphur fuel oil, in conformity to ISO8217/2010 standard for marine fuel oil which was required by IMO, could reduce carbon emissions by up to 21%.

By the end of the day, Zhoushan became the first tax-free bunkering port in China, being able to supply clean energy including LNG and biodiesel fuels among traditional fossil fuels.

Traffic capacity to Changshu port goes up

Thanks to the concerted efforts made by pilots and the port authorities, maximum permissible drafts to Changshu port were lifted to 11.80 meters, with the new draft restriction, vessels are able to ship about 5000 metric tons more cargo per shipment and add one million metric tons throughput to the port annually.

Ballast water from Japanese ships tested for radioactivity

Chinese ports have apparently begun testing the ballast water of Japanese ships for radioactive material, after the Japanese government began releasing radioactive water from the quake-damaged Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant in late August.

Ships have been informed that if too much radioactive material is found in their ballast water, they will be denied entry into China. However, no vessels have been turned away yet.

Maritime safety administration officials in the ports of Tianjin and Shandong province, home to Qingdao, Weihai, and Rizhao ports, have been collecting and testing ballast water samples from Japanese cargo ships.

There have apparently been no official announcements by the Chinese authorities regarding ballast water from Japanese ships.

China imported record volumes of crude oil in the first half of 2023

Record volumes of crude oil were imported into China during the first half of 2023 because of refinery expansions in the country and initiatives to reopen the economy after the government eased COVID-19 mobility restrictions. China imported an average of 11.4 million barrels of crude oil per day (b/d) in the first half of 2023, a 12% increase from 2022’s annual average of 10.2 million b/d.

In the first half of 2023, China's crude oil imports increased from 8 of the 10 top countries it imported crude oil from in 2022, according to China’s General Administration of Customs data.

China sourced much of the additional crude oil it imported in the first half of 2023 from Russia, Iran, Brazil, and the United States. Compared with 2022 averages, China’s imports from Russia increased by 23% (400,000 b/d), from Saudi Arabia by 7% (130,000 b/d), and from Brazil by 49% (250,000 b/d). The 2.6 million b/d of crude oil that China imported from Russia in June is the largest volume China has ever imported from any country in any month. China’s imports from the United States in the first half of 2023 more than doubled from 2022.

COVID-19 tests no longer required for travelers to China

In consideration of both the domestic and overseas situations on the Pandemic, and to facilitate people-to-people exchange, the Foreign Ministry has announced that beginning on August 30, it would no longer require travelers entering China to take a PCR test or an antigen test for COVID-19, this will also apply to the seafarers arriving in China ports with their vessels from foreign ports.

China overtakes Greece as largest shipowner

China has overtaken Greece to become the world's largest ship-owning country in terms of gross tonnage, according to information released over the weekend by the Shanghai-based China Shipowners' Association.

The fleet of Chinese shipowners has reached 249.2 million GT, accounting for a global market share of 15.9 percent, or about $180 billion in fleet value.

This is slightly higher than the 249 million GT of Greek shipowners' fleet, which accounts for a global market share of 15.8 percent and is valued at around $163 billion.

Japan ranks third with a fleet of 181 million GT, followed by South Korea and the United States, both at around 66 million GT.

Innovative methanol ship delivered to owners

A new environmentally friendly, energy-saving vessel was delivered in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, in late June, an example of China's leadership in green shipbuilding.

The vessel, which was developed and built by Guangzhou Shipyard International for Proman Stena, a European shipping company, is the first methanol-propelled dual-fuel ship delivered by a Chinese shipyard.

The drive system of the 49,900-metric-ton oil and chemical tanker is a methanol hybrid that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 75 percent, nitrogen emissions by 15 percent and sulfur and particulate emissions by 99 percent.

China's iron ore imports up 6.9% in first seven months

China's imports of iron ore registered steady growth in the first seven months of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

During the period, China imported a total of 669 million tons of iron ore, up 6.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the data.

In the January-July period, the average price of imported iron ore stood at 785.6 yuan ($109.77), down 5.1 percent from a year earlier.

Brazil-China trade deal to bolster food security

New protocols between Brazil and China have opened the door for more grain trade, allowing two of the world's largest agricultural producers to shore up food security.

Greater exports to China could create a more stable market for Brazilian producers, while for China, giving the green light to trade in these key commodities can help secure predictable supplies in the face of disruptions to global supply chains.

China and Brazil recently agreed to new protocols that allow the Latin American giant to export large shipments of corn and peanuts to China, as announced at the sixth meeting of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee. Negotiations also will start on expanding trade in other commodities.

Brazil is the world's third-largest corn producer after China and the United States, followed by Argentina and Ukraine. As Russia and Ukraine account for about 15 percent of the world's corn production, the ongoing conflict between the two nations has affected global supply.

China's foreign trade dips 0.1% in first 8 months

China's foreign trade edged down to 27.08 trillion yuan ($3.7 trillion) in the first eight months of the year, a slight decrease of 0.1 percent year-on-year, according to the General Administration of Customs on Thursday.

Exports expanded 0.8 percent year-on-year to 15.47 trillion yuan, while imports declined 1.3 percent from a year earlier to 11.61 trillion yuan, data from the administration showed.

In August alone, total exports and imports dropped 2.5 percent year-on-year and stood at 3.59 trillion yuan, with exports down 3.2 percent and imports down 1.6 percent, according to the data.

In the January-August period, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained China's largest trade partner. China's trade with ASEAN countries climbed 1.6 percent year-on-year to 4.11 trillion yuan, accounting for 15.2 percent of the country's total trade value

Fishing season kicks off in China coastal waters

From the South China sea to the Bohai Bay, hundreds of thousands of fishing boats sailed into the coastal fishing farms when the fishing season resumed after several months of an annual fishing ban ended in late August.

Fishing activities are liable to pose a threat of collision with merchant ships on the traditional passages near Chinese coasts, especially during night time or poor visibility. All ships should navigate with extreme caution and keep well clear of the marine fishing farms.

Slag export ex Jingtang spikes

Increased by 42.9% year-on-year for the first 8 months, slag exports in Jingtang port hits its record high this year, total throughput for this period exceeds 4 million tons.

Oceanfavor Tangshan office played a vital role for the shipments in coordinating related parties and providing excellent shipping agency services.

Besides Jingtang, Panjin and Bayuquan are two ports which also played a significant role in handling significant shipments of slag in North China.

Ship self safety check before entering CJK deep water channel

An official notice was released by Shanghai MSA on August 7. As of August 15, all vessels are required to have a self safety check by crew over M/E, A/E, steering gear as well as communication and emergency devices 12 hours prior to entering North channel (deep water channel) in CJK area, to ensure normal working condition of these devices and equipment, vessels need to submit a written report of the safety check to Wusong VTS via email wsvts@shmsa.gov.cn 4 hours in advance.

National Day holiday notice

A week-long National Day holiday associated with traditional Chinese Mid-autumn Festival will begin soon on August 29 and end on October 6, all port operations will continue as usual but governmental departments and banks will be temporarily closed. Consequently, issuance of letter of invitations for foreigners and routine banking services as well as customs clearance for spare parts won’t be available during this period.

Crew shore leave in China ports

Crew shore leaves are still restricted in some Chinese ports due to concerns on the variant of virus introduced from overseas by vessel, though optimized control measures have been adopted and all COVID related bans were lifted by the government months ago.

However, crew change and first-aid medical care or shore leave in other emergency cases are always permitted.

Two-way vessel traffic of Bayuquan port channel pass testing

For a long time since its beginning, Bayuquan port has adopted a one-way convoy system for inbound and outbound vessels in the approaching channel, in other words, inbound vessels are not allowed to proceed in while the channel was assigned to an outbound vessel. Vessels would have to wait for their turn when passing the channel and lose plenty of precious time.

Recently, two-way vessel traffic has been on trial runs. Two vessels sailing in opposite directions can now safely pass each other in the channel, proving the feasibility of the traffic pattern. The new traffic pattern will greatly improve the efficiency of port operations and minimize vessels’ port stay duration.

New mode for grain vessels lightening cargo at Zhoushan

Previously, vessels carrying grain in bulk for discharge at Yangtze river ports would have to lighten part of their cargo at Zhoushan due to the draft restrictions in the river. Vessels and Owners had to spend more time and money on extra port charges for the port calls.

An innovative new mode was recently introduced for such operations, a Panamax bulk carrier discharged her whole cargo to a number of lighters at Zhoushan alone, without calling Yangtze river discharging port. All the cargo was distributed to their final destinations by these lighters directly. Both Owners and receivers will benefit significantly from this new win-win solution.

China coal stocks hit record high

Year-to-date production of coal in China is up 5.8% year-on-year and seaborne imports are up a massive 73% year-on-year. Domestic coal supply has faced stiff competition from seaborne coal imports due to price and quality. In addition, coal imports from Mongolia have increased five-fold compared to last year.

The increase in production puts China’s coal industry on track to hit its 2025 production target of 4.6bn tonnes in 2023.

The gap between supply and demand increases led to coal stocks at Chinese power plants reaching a record high of 187 million tonnes in May, more than total year-to-date seaborne imports.

Indonesia accounted for nearly half of the increase in seaborne imports, with Russia and Australia together contributing the other half.

All segments have benefited from the increase in China’s coal imports, but Capesizes have benefited the most, with a near-doubling of volumes to China from Russia and Australia.

Joint inspection by Shanghai MSA & Danish Maritime Authority

On 10th of June, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration(MSA) and Danish Maritime Authorities conducted a joint inspection of the Danish-flagged container ship “Sally Maersk” berthed at Shanghai Yangshan port. This is a collaboration between the Shanghai MSA and the Danish Maritime Authorities, as their last joint ship inspection was five years ago.

During the joint inspection, the Shanghai MSA conducted a port state control inspection, while the Danish Maritime Authorities conducted a flag state inspection. The inspection personnel from both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges with the aim of ensuring the safety of the ship’s navigation. They had extensive discussions over the handling methods for identified deficiencies and reached a consensus on how to eliminate the ship safety hazards found. After the inspection, both sides also exchanged opinions and suggestions on future inspection focal points and possible challenges related to new ship types and technologies.

It is reported that the concept of joint inspections was firstly proposed by the Shanghai MSA during the Asia-Pacific Port State Control Memorandum of Understanding Seminar back in 2017.

World’s largest FPSO sets out for Brazil

Having been in production for two years, the world’s largest FPSO named “Sepetiba” was finally delivered on 16th of June and started her trans-ocean journey to Brazil from the Northern Chinese port of Tianjin. With an overall length of 333m, breadth of 60m and height of 64m, the FPSO has a storage capacity of 2 million barrels, lightship weight of 93,000 metric tonnes and a maximum displacement 450,000 metric tonnes.

Project cargo shipped by Oceanfavor to West Africa

In early July, a parcel of project cargo including some heavy construction machinery and materials were successfully shipped out of Tianjin port, heading for the West African nation of The Democratic Republic of Congo, carried out by Oceanfavor Logistics Division.

In line with the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa, Oceanfavor Logistics Services are committed to and focused on one-stop project cargo forwarding services and in recent years has played more and more of an important role in the West African region.

New trends of Port State Control in post Covid times

After a gap of three years, physical onboard PSC inspections have been fully resumed in all China ports since the beginning of this year.

China MSA vowed to enhance the inspections by all means. In some ports the inspection may cover all vessels in the port, no matter whether the vessels are prioritized and categorized to a high risk level or not, patrol boats and drones have been adopted in the surveillance of vessels’ operations. Several vessels were badly punished for their breach or had deficiencies identified. We highly recommend that both owners and crew get themselves well prepared in all aspects prior to arrival in China ports and to consult their agents in advance in case of needs or uncertainties.

China has 700 million metric tons of grain storage capacity

China's grain warehouses are capable of providing about 700 million metric tons of storage capacity, roughly on par with the country's annual grain output.

The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has worked to modernize grain storage and logistics, and has increased the storage capacity of "qualified grain warehouses" to nearly 700 million tons.

The overall storage conditions have generally reached world-advanced levels, and the grain logistics network has seen improvements.

China's first offshore million-tonne carbon storage project put into use

China's first offshore million-tonne carbon storage project was put into operation on Thursday in the South China Sea, according to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The project is designed to store a total of more than 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the equivalent to planting nearly 14 million trees, according to the company.

The project, serving the Enping 15-1 oil platform 200 km southwest of Shenzhen, captures and processes CO2 from oilfields and then injects CO2 into a dome-shaped geological structure at a depth of around 800 meters under the seabed and about 3 km from the platform.

The operation of the project signifies China's achievement in acquiring a complete set of technologies and equipment for capturing, processing, injecting, storing and monitoring CO2 at sea.

It also opens up a new course for China to realize its "dual carbon" goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Shore power supply costs lowest in Ningbo and Zhoushan

To achieve the “dual carbon” goals and to gradually reduce the carbon emissions from ships, Vessels are encouraged or obliged to connect to shore power when operating in China ports where shore power connections are available. In most ports, ship-shore power interfaces have been installed.

The cost of shore power is similar to or even less than normal vessel based fuel consumption. Shore power costs are lowest in Ningbo and Zhoushan where it is only CNY0.3 per kwh according to the tariff, thanks to the promotional policy offered by the local authorities.

Extra long windmill blade exported

China produces and exports huge amounts of windmill facilities every year and has become a very important country of origin for windmills, amongst world renowned manufacturers like Siemens and Vestas.

In mid June, extra long windmill blades with a total length of 123 meters, root diameter over 5 meters and unit weight of 62 metric tonnes were loaded at the port of Lianyungang. These were the longest blades China has ever exported. Two shore gantry cranes were required, operating in tandem when loading. In addition to the blades, windmill towers and nacelles were also loaded there.

China tops NEV market with 20 millionth vehicle rolling off production line

China's 20 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) rolled off the production line on Monday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

With this record, the NEV sector has now entered a new stage of large-scale, globalized, high-quality development and is becoming an important part of China's modern industrial system. It took 15 years for China's NEV’s to reach the first 10 million, while the second 10 million took only a year and five months.

Industry experts say that the rapid development of China's NEV sector is due to constant breakthroughs in its core technology, steady improvements in industrial chains as well as accelerated construction of the battery charging infrastructure.

China's foreign trade up 4.7% in Jan-May period

China's total imports and exports grew 4.7 percent year-on-year to 16.77 trillion yuan in the first five months, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Exports grew 8.1 percent to 9.62 trillion yuan in the first five months compared to the same period last year while imports rose 0.5 percent to 7.15 trillion yuan, the administration added.

In the first five months of this year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained China's largest trading partner. The total imports and exports expanded 9.9 percent year-on-year to 2.59 trillion yuan, accounting for 15.4 percent of China's total foreign trade volume, the administration said.
 

Transit port to bolster regional growth

China's move to add Vladivostok in Russia as a cross-border transit port for domestic trade shipments from Jilin province will further bolster economic growth in its northeastern region.

Starting on June 1st, goods shipped from Jilin to domestic destinations can travel through the port in Vladivostok, a city in the Russian Far East.

This decision is in line with the national strategic plan to boost the old industrial base in Northeast China and simplify cross-border transportation of domestic goods via international ports.
 

Logs import from Australia resumed

According to relevant laws and regulations in China and international standards, China resumed import of Australian logs.

China customs started to clear Australian logs from 18th May 2023 which was suspended since 31st Oct 2020 as quarantine pests were detected several times from imported Australian logs. 

Australia is one of the countries of origin for imported logs, amongst New Zealand, Russia and others.
 

Exit, entry policies optimized

China fully restored fast-lane entry and exit services at all ports starting on 15th of May 2023, facilitating the cross-border travel of Chinese citizens and foreign nationals. The National Immigration Administration issued a circular announcing the adjustments to immigration policies.

Chinese nationals will be allowed to use fast lanes for expedited border inspection on the following travel documents: Chinese ordinary passports, exit-entry permits for travel to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, five-year mainland travel permits for Taiwan residents, and multiple entry permits valid for one year, the administration said in a notice.

Foreigners can use the service with their passports and China-issued ID cards for foreign permanent residents, or with their electronic passports and residence permits with a validity period of more than six months.
 

China's export of automobiles continuously surges

From January to April this year, Chinese automobile enterprises exported 1.37 million vehicles, up 89.2 percent year-on-year, of which 348,000 were new energy vehicles, up 1.7 times year-on-year, according to China Association of Automobile Manufactures.

China's automobile export increased 58.1 percent to reach 1.07 million units in the first quarter of this year, surpassing last year's global leader, Japan, who exported 954,000 in Q1 this year.

The export routes spread throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, South America and the Middle East.
 

First shipment of corn from South Africa arrived in Guangzhou

A bulk carrier shipping 53,000MT of corn loaded ex South African port arrived at Machong of Guangzhou early May this year, the corn was imported by COFCO - the national grain trader.

Besides the traditional supplying countries, China recently has switched to import grain from South American and African nations, in order to stabilize and enrich its supply chains.
 

World Bank revises up China's growth to 5.6%

The World Bank has predicted China's economy will grow at 5.6 percent this year, up by 1.3 percentage points from its January forecast, but has revised down projections for most economies, as it sees global growth on a precarious footing amid high interest rates.

The World Bank, in its Global Economic Prospects report released on Tuesday, said that economic activity in China bounced back in early 2023, spurred by the earlier-than-expected economic reopening, which drives consumer spending, particularly on domestic services.
 

Flighted sponge moth complex highly risky period starts

FSMC, formerly known as AGM(Asia Gypsy Moth), high risk period started in North China(north of parallel 31˚15’N) on 1st of June and will end on 30th of September, inspection and certification services by authorized organization in most China ports are available on request.

Summer rules in Yangtze river issued

Recently, Jiangsu MSA released a circular aiming to strengthen supervision on vessels operations during the summer high temperature and flooding season in the Yangtze river. 

All vessels intending to enter the river must remain in good operational condition and order. Experienced pilots are to be assigned for the river sections, vessels out of control for 2 times in the past year are denied entry. Tonnage of cargo carried onboard can not exceed 4 times of the horsepower of the main engine. 

Minimum speed with head current should not be less than 4 knots and should not be less than 6 knots with pushing current when vessels steaming in the traffic lanes. Berthing, unberthing and passing through Yingongzhou, lower section of Hechangzhou and Simawan channels in night time for vessels with LOA over 150 meters and tankers with DWT over 5,000MT carrying liquid dangerous chemicals are prohibited.

When river water reaches its critical level, one additional tug shall be employed for berthing and unberthing operations.

When air temperatures rise to 35℃ or above, cargo operations of oil in bulk with close cup flash points below 28℃ and liquid chemicals in bulk must be suspended, cargo operation of dangerous liquid in bulk, cleaning of cargo tank, disposal of slop or sludge and supply of bunker must be suspended during thunder and lightning weather or wind scale 7 and upwards.
 

Crude oil storage capacity expanded in Dongjiakou

Construction of Zhenhua storage tanks in Dongjiakou was completed and come into operation on 2nd of June, 800,000 cubic meters were added into the total crude oil storage capacity of 8.26 million cubic meters in the port, with 8 new tanks of 100,000 cubic meters each.

Moreover, phase III of the commercial storage project under construction expects to complete this year, contributing another 1.8 million cubic meters storage capacity.
 

New berths at Dalian, Dandong and Tangshan accepted and open for commercial operation

In the end of May and the beginning of June, 18 new berths at Dalian, 2 new berths at Dandong and 2 new berths at Tangshan were inspected and granted by the local authorities, e.g. harbor office, customs, MSA and immigration for commercial operation. These newly operational berths will apparently ease the congestion state in these ports and significantly enhance the competitiveness of the ports.

The new berths include those for handling grain and mineral ore in bulk, Ro-Ro, container, crude and products oil, etc.
 

MSA implemented pre-arrival evaluation mechanism for vessels calling Dongjiakou

As of 1st of June, all vessels scheduling to call Dongjiakou will be evaluated by MSA prior to arrival and vessels will be categorized into 3 risk levels - low, medium and high risk.

High risk vessels might be rejected for entry while medium risk vessels are to be physically boarded and inspected in the anchorage, and needs to rectify the deficiency before being allowed to berth.

Documents for evaluation are to be provided through the agents via email to: psc_dongjiakou@sd.msa.gov.cn, the vessel, her agents and other related party bear joint and several liability for the authenticity of the document and will be punished by MSA for false declaration. 
 

VLCC using LNG fuel docked in Rizhao

Newbuilding VLCC mt “Advantage Vital” made her maiden call to Rizhao recently, by burning LNG instead of fossil oil, the tanker reduced CO2 emission by 20% compared with those generated by traditional bunker. Clean energies are the trends for marine shipping industry to achieve carbon emission goal.

NAT No Longer Required for Inbound Foreign Passengers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently declared that in order to facilitate cross border travel, NAT(Nucleic Acid Testing) certificates issued within 48 hours before boarding a flight will not be required for foreign passengers travelling to China as of 29th of April 2023. Rapid Antigen Tests are to take its place instead. 

Safety Check on Key Equipments by Crew prior to Port Entry in Qingdao

As of 24th of April 2023, to enhance the safety of vessels during port operations, all tankers and vessels over 200,000 MT DWT and vessels which had machinery failure previously while calling Qingdao, are obligated to have their key equipment(ME, AE, steering gear, anchor, etc.) thoroughly checked by the crew prior to port entry. The crew is to make sure that all machinery is in good operational condition and the results are to be reported to MSA(Maritime Safety Administration) in writing via email at djkvts@126.com. 

Tianjin Receives Biggest Manganese Ore Vessel This Year

On 21st of April 2023, a Capesize bulker - MV Niseko Queen, arrived at Tianjin port with 205,000 MT of manganese ore onboard. Shipped from the West African country of Gabon, the total value of the cargo was around 36 million USD. This is the biggest manganese vessel the port handled this year.

First LNG Bunkering Operation at Anchorage Successfully Conducted in Shanghai

On 26th of April 2023, LNG supplying tanker “Hai Gang Wei Lai” arrived alongside container ship MV Zim Mount Everest at Lvhuashan anchorage near CJK and supplied 1,600 CBM of duty-free LNG clean bunker. Shanghai was the first port in China for LNG to be supplied to vessels, since its first LNG bunker supply in 2022.

“Hai Gang Wei Lai” belongs to Shenergy Group and has a tank capacity of 20,000 CBM, it is the biggest LNG supplying tanker in the world, and has replenished 38 vessels with LNG since March 2022.

In late March 2021, oil major Total and Shenery Group signed an agreement for the supply of 1.4 million tons of LNG per year supplied by Total. A new joint venture was also formed to expand the LNG market in China.
 

New Container Line Set up between North China and Europe

MV MSC Katie of container liner giant MSC, called Dalian early May, indicating the inauguration of the new container line between North China and European ports. Dalian is the only port in North China on the new line and there are a total of 11 vessels with a combined capacity of 14,000 TEU each to be deployed on the line. Opening of the line will benefit and boost foreign trade for the NE China regions.

Throughput Hits Record High in Jingtang Port

By 1st of May 2023, total cargo handled in Jingtang reached 100 million tons for the first 4 months of this year, 22 days earlier than last year. Main cargo consists of bulk ore and steel products, contributing significantly to the total throughput in the port. The annual throughput in Jingtang is expected to be 300 million tons this year.

Three-year Action Plan” on Ship Survey Industry Launched by MSA

Recently, a “Three-year Action Plan” on ship survey aiming to regulate and promote high-quality development for the ship survey industry(2023-2025) was launched by China MSA, the plan particularly emphasized consolidating laws and regulations and improving high-quality development systems of the ship survey industry, setting up a service quality monitoring system and promoting the professionalization of local ship survey agencies.

It's the first year of the "Three-Year Action Plan" this year, MSA will build up a mechanism to strengthen coordination and organization of the implementation of the "Three-Year Action Plan".
 

Transit Visas Required in the Ports of Yangtze Delta

For crew disembarking at Zhoushan, Nantong, Changzhou, Jiangyin, Changsha, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou and Taicang, transit visas are necessary documents as required by the immigration office before they are given the green light to be repatriated from China.

However, the crew of those leaving China within 24 hours upon disembarkation will be exempted from such visas.
 

Grain Imports Continue Growth in China

China continuously increased its imports for grain this year, 38.7 million tons of grain were imported in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%. Major traders are COFCO, SINOGRAIN, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, Bunge among others.

Channels Survey Started in Shanghai

Shanghai maritime surveying and mapping centre carried out a new round of comprehensive waterway surveying since early February, the survey covered CJK north deep water channel, CJK south channel, Waigaoqiao channel, Yangshan deep water channel, Huangpu river channel as well as other key waters in Shanghai port.

Hydrographic data, nautical charts and ECDIS will be updated upon completion of the survey, so that shipping circles are provided with up-to-date information to ensure safe navigation for vessels.
 

Seaway Passenger Transport to Korea ex Lianyungang Expected to Resume

Along with the optimized epidemic control policies, relevant governmental departments(Immigration, Customs, MSA, etc.) and the ferry operator in Lianyungang are preparing to resume the passenger line between the port and Incheon, South Korea shortly.

The passenger ferry line was initially opened about 20 years ago between Lianyungang and Incheon, a joint venture was established by Lianyungang port group and a Korean ferry company, the ferry line provided an easy and fast means of transport for the people of the two nations and facilitated people to people exchange. The ferry services were suspended during the covid pandemic.
 

More International Flights Resumed

Following the easing of Pandemic restrictions, Chinese airlines such as China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines recently resumed and even increased a number of international flights between major airports in China and international destinations. These actions will greatly benefit crew changes, especially those of foreign nationals coming to China to join a vessel.

“Zero Tax” Policy on Coal Import Extended

To stabilize the supply of coal, the Tax and Tariff commission of the State Council announced in late March that from the 1st of April 2023 till the 31st of December 2023, imported coal will remain tax-free.

The import of coal from Australia was officially resumed as of February 2023, after nearly three years of suspension.

RMB Internationalization Steps Up

The Chinese currency RMB is speeding up in expanding its global usage, a trend that will help build a more resilient international monetary system, one that is less dependent on the US dollar and more conducive to trade growth.

China and Brazil - two major emerging economies and BRICS members - reportedly reached a deal to trade in their own currencies, ditching the US dollar as an intermediary.

RMB internationalization will likely accelerate, underlining that the recent developments indicate that an alternative monetary system outside the US dollar hegemony is being developed.

Landing Visa in Shanghai Suspended

Landing visas for inbound passengers arriving with international flights in Shanghai started on the 24th of March 2023, but was temporarily suspended recently. Agents involved are required to participate in a special training course. The resumption of the visa is still pending and further development to be informed once known.

Import of Livestock From New Zealand Kicks Off in Jinzhou

The first shipment of live cattle will arrive in Jinzhou, North China by the end of May this year. The shipment contains 3,800 heads of cattle, indicating the “0” breakthrough of livestock imports in the port and enlarging the business outreach of the port.

Underwater Hull Inspection and Cleaning with Robots

Thanks to the development of new AI technology, robots have been introduced and utilized in underwater hull inspections and cleaning for vessels. Compared to the traditional manual method by divers, robots are safer, more time-saving and cost-efficient, and more importantly, robots are able to do the job in muddy waters and in adverse sea conditions.

Oceanfavor Shanghai office has successfully arranged inspections and cleaning for several vessels this year.

Shield Tunneling Machine Shipped Abroad

Formerly an imported product, China began manufacturing shield tunneling machines with her own intellectual property rights in recent years. These have not only met domestic demands, but have also been exported to overseas clients. Today, China has become one of the top suppliers for shield tunneling machines in the world.

At the beginning of March 2023, Dalian Jenshine Logistics Co., Ltd. - a Logistics Division of Oceanfavor Group based in Dalian, successfully organized shipments for three sets of shield tunneling machines to Indian ports. In the last three years , Dalian Jenshine has forwarded over 30 sets to worldwide destinations. 

Distribution of Bunkering Anchorages at Zhoushan

There are a number of anchorages where vessels can lift bunkers at Zhoushan, here is a summary of the anchorages with individual restrictions and latest operational status:

- Xiazhimen anchorage - an OPL anchorage, available 24 hours a day weather permitting but shelterless and liable to be impacted by heavy weather
- Tiaozhoumen anchorage - an OPL anchorage, available for daylight only
- Xiushandong anchorage - an inner anchorage, now becoming operational 24 hours a day weather permitting but only 10 authorized bunker barges are allowed for night time operations
- Mazhi anchorage - an inner anchorage, operational 24 hours a day weather permitting

Commercial Operation of VLOC Berth on Trial in Lianyungang Port

With a designated berthing capacity of DWT 400 thousand metric tons and a maximum draft of 22.08m alongside, a VLOC berth is on trial to open for commercial operation recently at Lianyungang, at the end of March, M.V. CSB Brilliant carrying 310 thousand metric tons of iron ore became the first ship to berth alongside, it broke the record for the biggest bulk carriers Lianyungang has ever handled. The berth was the first one for accommodating VLOC in Jiangsu province.

Quarantine Measures Taken for Crew Disembarking at Yingkou

Crew intending to disembark at Yingkou, North China are subject to nucleic acid tests prior to disembarkation, according to the latest local quarantine rules. The vessel involved is to be disinfected thoroughly by an authorized shore service, in case any crew tests positive. Fortunately, no apparent disturbance to cargo work was observed.

Bulk Ore Import Continuously Grows in China

Iron ore imports reached its historical record high to 194 million metric tons for the first two months this year. Australia remains the biggest origin country, followed by Brazil.

Coal imports also grew rapidly by 70.8% on a year-on-year basis, amounting to 60.7 billion metric tons for January and February, including 207 thousand metric tons from Australia. Indonesia, Russia and Mongolia are the next three biggest suppliers of coal imports. 

China to Resume Issuing All Types of Foreign Visas

China's visa offices abroad will resume issuing all types of visas to foreigners on Wednesday to facilitate cross-border travels.

Also, foreigners with valid visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 will be able to enter the country.

The Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs announced these decisions on Tuesday.

The country will also resume the issuance of all types of port visas to applicants with lawful reasons, and resume visa-free entries to Hainan province, among other regions, according to the department.

Foreign Crew Change Carried Out by OceanFavor at Qingdao and Jinzhou

All COVID-related restrictions have been scrapped since early January and foreign crew change has fully resumed in Chinese ports. Owner’s crewing agencies are seeing more positivity from authorities as prior application and approval policies are no longer required and government facilities have resumed for foreign crew change. 

Currently, as per the latest quarantine policies, the only requirement is that crew have self administered an antigen test onboard 48 hours before arrival and declared to the customs via their agents. 

First Capesize Bulker Successfully Lightening at Jinzhou

One Capesize bulk carrier lightened her part cargo of Australian iron ore at Jinzhou port of North China recently. This unprecedented event marks a significant milestone for the port to promote its capacity of throughput. Consequently, Jinzhou is now becoming a new point for vessels’ lightening operations.

CJK Vessel Traffic Management Strengthened

To ensure safe navigation for vessels, Shanghai MSA(Maritime Safety Administration) announced a notice aiming to strengthen the management of traffic in the Yangtze river estuary and its adjacent waters, with full effect as of the 1st of February 2023. Please click right here for the full article. All mariners are to exercise extreme caution when navigating the area to avoid marine accidents and close quarter situations. 

Port State Control Campaign in China Ports

After a suspension lasting around 3 years due to the COVID pandemic, PSC onboard inspections in most China ports have been resumed as of the beginning of this year. Data shows the number of physical inspections at Chinese ports has increased substantially in recent days. The number of ships detained by China PSC in January was 14, increasing significantly to 79 in February. In the port of Yantai, as many as 6 ships were detained out of 10 inspections. 

In some ports like Ningbo, PSCO has begun inspecting the officer crew's operational competency. 

If detention code 30 is issued to a high ranking crew, he must be signed off and the vessel can only depart once a substitute crew member is on board. 

High risk ships are as always, drawing more attention from PSCOs. Owners, Operators and Masters are highly recommended to pay acute attention to detail when preparing for inspections. Self checks and immediate rectifications can go a long way in preventing serious inspection deficiencies and detentions. 

Dense Sea Fog in North China

During the winter to spring transitional period, specifically between November and April, dense fog in North China(North of Yangtze River) becomes quite common and one of the major threats to maritime safety. Ports can be closed to traffic while cargo operations in port are suspended when dense fog prevailed causing very poor visibility and high moisture. 

Dandong, the port most impacted by fog in NE China, suffers an average of 51 foggy days in a year. Delays on vessel operations during this season should be taken into consideration by Owners and Operators passing through this area.

Chinese Shipyard Delivers Very Large Crude Carrier

New Splendor, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) with a loading capacity of 300,000 tonnes, was delivered to its customer in the coastal city of Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning province on the 4th of January 2023.

The manufacturer, the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd said this ship features leading energy-saving technology in terms of the shipbuilding industry -- which enhances the international competitiveness of China's shipbuilding and shipping industry. 

The ship's design meets the requirements of the latest emission standards of nitrogen oxides and 
sulphur oxides, and also the hazardous substances list in the EU regulation on ship recycling.

Asian Gypsy Moth(AGM) Renamed

Information from a joint announcement by the US, Canada, Argentina and Chile shows AGM will be officially renamed as Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) as of the 1st of March 2023, title of the newly issued certificate is to be updated consequently.

CCIC(China Certification and Inspection Corporation) is the solely authorized organization to perform FSMC inspection and certification. 

From the 1st of June through to the 30th of September is the high risk period in North China(North of parallel 31°15’N). Vessels are subject to such inspections before departing the last Chinese port.

ART to Replace NAT for Certain Inbound Passengers

According to Civil Aviation Administration of China, as of the 1st of March 2023, inbound passengers from 17 countries can replace NAT(nucleic acid test) with ART(antigen rapid test) conducted within 48 hours before boarding the plane. These countries include Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, UAE, Kenya, Russia, New Zealand, Maldive, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Egypt, Switzerland and Hungary.

Previously, all arriving passengers are required to have a valid NAT reports issued 48 hours prior to boarding. In the meantime, Arrival Visa and Letter of Invitation with barcode issued by the government was resumed and shall be required upon entry. 

Fuzhou Jiangyin Port Qualified for Cereal Imports

We have learnt from the Customs General Administration that Jiangyin port in East China Fuzhou was recently authorized for cereal imports, including wheat, soy bean, corn, canola, barley, sorghum and other HSS. This greatly enhances the grain imports of Fujian province, in addition to the traditional ports in the province, such as Xiamen, Kemen and Zhangzhou.

New Marine Bunker Supplier Opens for Commercial Operation

“Shanghai Fuyuan Supply Co. Ltd” - a newly established marine bunker supplier and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PetroChina, came into operation on the 17th of January 2023 in Shanghai. It brings with it one more option for the marine shipping industry in securing tax-free fuel in China.

Numerous China Ports Ranked World’s Largest Ports in 2022

Ningbo-Zhoushan remained the world’s biggest port for the 14th consecutive year in terms of total annual throughput, while Shanghai made herself the biggest port in handling containers for the 13th time as of last year. Trailing closely behind, Shenzhen and Qingdao came in at 4th and 5th place respectively.

Surprisingly, port of Tangshan in North China Hebei province overtook Shanghai and took the 2nd place in terms of throughput, the growth of the port benefited from the large amount of bulk cargo it handled, including ores and liquid chemicals.

Dandong Deeper - Opening Plan Approved

The most northern Chinese port of Dandong will be opened further to foreign commercial operations starting in early 2023. As approved by the State Council, all 18 berths totaling a length of 6,300 meters will be utilized. This decision would not only benefit the neighbouring cities, but also the entire NE regions of China.

China has Started the Importing of Corn from South America

The first shipment of bulk corn loaded from a Brazilian port just arrived in Guangdong on the 7th of January 2023, marking the very beginning of China’s import of corn from South America. The 68,000 tons of cargo were imported by national grain giant COFCO(China Oil & Foodstuffs Corporation) and are to become a supplemental sources for China’s cereal reserve. As the biggest grain trader in China, COFCO traded 180 million tons of cereal in the year of 2022.

Australian Coal Import Resumed

Two ships carrying Australian coal arrived in China ports early February. These were the signs of a resumption of Australian coal export to China since the suspension about 2 years ago. The coal was rumored to have been discharged at Zhanjiang and Changshu respectively, with Baowu Steel Group believed to be one of the potential buyers of said coal.

Logs Handled in Penglai Increase

Port of Penglai handled over 1 million CBM of logs in 2022. As one of the top 10 China ports importing wood product, Penglai was the first authorized port for wood imports in the region of Yantai and Weihai. In recent years, Penglai has also started to import wood chips.

Cereal Imports by China in 2022

According to Customs data released recently, China imported 147.5 million tons of cereal(including soybean, corn, sorghum, wheat, rice and barley etc.) last year, which is 18 million tons or 11% less than the year before that. The total cereal imported of 2022 was made up of 93 million tons of soybean, 20.6 million tons of corn, 10 million tons of sorghum, 11.8 million tonsof wheat, 6 million tons of rice and 5.8 million tons of barley. Brazil remained the biggest origin for soybeans followed by USA. Most of the corn came from USA, while Australia was the biggest exporter of wheat to China.

China Leads Globally in Ship Orders & Output

China remained the world's leading shipbuilder in 2022, grabbing the largest market share and making breakthroughs in high-end ship models. 

The country topped the globe in three major indicators — contributing 47.3% of global output, receiving 55.2% of new orders and obtaining 49% of holding orders, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed.

Chinese companies received 55 LNG carrier orders in 2022, accounting for over 30% of the world's total, a record high for the country.