New energy vehicles line up for shipment at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo provided by Zhejiang Marine Economic Development Department]

Zhejiang province's coastal ports are off to a strong start in 2025, with major infrastructure and shipping metrics showing solid growth, according to data from the Zhejiang Marine Economic Development Department.

From January to March, 120 key port development projects saw investments totaling 19.37 billion yuan ($2.67 billion) — 32.28 percent of the annual target. Cargo throughput reached 426 million metric tons, while container volume hit 11.632 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 0.3 percent and 11.4 percent year-on-year, respectively.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port led the charge, moving over 10 million TEUs in the first quarter — a 10.2 percent increase. Meishan terminal alone set a single-terminal record with 3.09 million TEUs, up 15.8 percent.

Exports surged as well. In just the first two months, the port handled 26,900 new energy vehicles — a 439 percent jump — accounting for nearly 10 percent of China's total NEV exports.

Efficiency measures are also paying off. The province's "on-time container shipping cost-reduction" initiative expanded to nine domestic ports, including Qingdao Port in Shandong province. It cut 12,700 hours in vessel wait times and saved shipping firms an estimated 320 million yuan.

Green shipping efforts are gaining pace. The port completed liquified natural gas bunkering for 10 vessels, totaling 70,000 cubic meters — already exceeding last year's total volume and frequency.