The Panamanian LNG vessel Blue Dragon I berths at Zhoushan Port. [Photo provided by Yuan Shiyu for Tide News]

The Panamanian liquefied natural gas vessel Blue Dragon I docked at Zhoushan Port in East China's Zhejiang province on Feb 1, marking the port's first LNG unloading operation of 2026.

Approximately 138,000 cubic meters of LNG were unloaded at the terminal and then stored in tanks after being transferred via unloading arms and pipelines. Once vaporized, this clean energy supply will meet the annual gas needs of about 320,000 households, providing essential support for eastern Zhejiang's energy reserves.

Unlike previous operations, this unloading was carried out through a synchronized process combining paperwork, inspections, and on-site operations. Optimizing the process saved at least 2.5 hours of berth time for the vessel, which incurs daily operating costs of over $100,000. The total dock time is expected to be reduced to 22.9 hours, delivering significant operational efficiency.

Once unloading is complete, the terminal's total storage capacity is expected to reach 254,000 metric tons, with an export capacity of approximately 217,500 tons. Another LNG shipment is expected to arrive this month, further supporting stable winter energy supplies for the Yangtze River Delta region.