Offshore wind turbines generate electricity off Shengsi county, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, on May 12, 2025. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang has launched the "Green Action for Zhejiang Seas" program under a new 2026-28 plan to accelerate the shipping sector's shift toward greener and lower-carbon development.

The program outlines measures in four areas: optimizing industrial structure, supporting the new energy system, improving the transport structure, and strengthening environmental governance capacity.

Key steps include supporting clean transport in major sectors, building near-zero-carbon ports, reshaping coastal shipping routes, advancing research and development of new propulsion technologies and equipment, and increasing the supply of talent for green shipping.

The plan also calls for wider application of green marine fuels, stronger service support for the offshore wind power industry, and better safeguards for major water-related projects tied to green energy development.

In transport, Zhejiang will promote the use of vessels powered by new energy and clean energy, speed up the scrapping and renewal of older commercial ships, strengthen management of vessel energy efficiency and carbon intensity, and improve waterway traffic organization while maintaining shipping safety.

The plan also includes participation in the formulation of international shipping emissions rules, improvements to green shipping standards and regulations, tighter control of air pollutant emissions from ships, deeper treatment of ship-related water pollution, and stronger emergency response capacity for vessel pollution incidents.