Zhoushan, a major shipbuilding and repair hub in East China's Zhejiang province, reported strong growth in ship exports during the first five months of the year, driven by rising demand for more advanced and environmentally friendly vessels.

On June 22, a 19,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel ultra-large container ship entered a dry dock at the shipbuilding industry base of Changhong International in Daishan county, marking the start of its main construction phase. The vessel is currently the largest LNG dual-fuel container ship under construction in Zhejiang and is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

Compared with conventional fuel-powered ships, LNG dual-fuel vessels produce lower emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides, reflecting the shipping industry's growing focus on decarbonization and compliance with international environmental regulations.

Geng Hongwei, general manager of Changhong International, said the shipbuilder currently holds orders for more than 20 new vessels, plans to deliver six ships this year, and has production scheduled through the second half of 2029.

In recent years, Zhoushan has accelerated efforts to develop a high-end shipbuilding sector centered on green and intelligent vessel technologies. To support the industry, Zhoushan Customs has introduced streamlined procedures covering ship registration, modification procedures, relocation approvals, and export formalities, allowing faster processing of key applications.

From January to May, ship exports supervised by Zhoushan Customs reached 20.38 billion yuan ($3 billion), up 93.7 percent year-on-year, highlighting the strong momentum of the city's shipbuilding industry.