Al Jurf docks in Zhoushan. [Photo/Tide News]

Two international seafarers spent eight hours ashore in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, where they witnessed firsthand efficient port services, local lifestyle, and the city's efforts to facilitate shore leave for international crews.

Their vessel, the Al Jurf, was undergoing maintenance at a shipyard on Liuheng Island, part of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. With assistance from a local seafarers' station, the Egyptian and Jordanian crew members visited shops and explored the island before returning to the ship that evening.

Ningbo and Zhoushan have introduced measures to facilitate shore leave for international seafarers, including free shuttle services, online processing, and one-stop clearance. In Ningbo, 45 organizations operating 154 berths have adopted the new arrangements.

The measures allow many procedures to be completed before crew members arrive ashore, reducing waiting time while ensuring port security. At some sites, joint services provided by maritime, customs, immigration, and police authorities allow crew members to complete procedures near their berths.

Zhoushan has also set up 25 seafarers' stations that offer services including transportation, medical assistance, currency exchange, and shopping information. Bilingual guides help international crew members navigate local facilities and attractions.

For the two seafarers, the brief visit offered a glimpse of everyday life in China. Their experience also reflects a broader effort by Zhejiang's major port cities to balance operational efficiency with more accessible services for the international seafaring community.