A cargo shipment of copper concentrate was recently processed at the Zhoushan Port Free Trade Zone in East China's Zhejiang province, with unloading completed in just 10 hours.

Enabled by integrated operations between the free trade zone and Zhoushan Port, the cargo was swiftly transferred into the zone. So far this year, Zhoushan Customs has handled 11 similar shipments, supporting steady business growth in the zone.

As a key driver of Zhoushan's economic development, the Zhoushan Port Free Trade Zone recorded imports and exports totaling 57.42 billion yuan ($8.27 billion) in 2025, a 2.9 percent year-on-year increase.

One significant innovation is the digitalized operations of Shulanghu Island. Home to China's largest iron ore transshipment base, the island is benefiting from digital technologies that have reduced cargo handling times by 30 percent, saving approximately 120,000 yuan per vessel. In addition, the use of drones has sped up sample delivery, cutting inter-island transit times to just one hour.

Zhoushan Customs has also improved logistics with a "one ticket, multiple vehicles" model, increasing flexibility in vehicle scheduling. This reform has enabled the efficient movement of 9,046.7 tons of goods in 2025.

Moreover, by expanding the zone's terminal functions, container throughput of the terminal increased by 6.25 percent year-on-year to 59,500 twenty-foot equivalent units in 2025.