An oil and gas industrial base in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province supplied 3.916 million metric tons of bonded marine fuel from January to June this year, up 10.5 percent year-on-year, solidifying its position as the world's fourth-largest bunkering port. 

At a time when leading global ports like Singapore and Fujairah are seeing flat or declining sales, Zhoushan's figures stand out. Singapore Port recorded a 0.8 percent drop, while Fujairah Port fell 4.41 percent in the first half of the year.

In contrast, Zhoushan has seen consistent growth, attributed to a combination of coordinated local and provincial policies, improved operational capacity, and price competitiveness. New policy initiatives, such as Zhejiang's bunkering center plan and support measures from customs and maritime authorities, have accelerated infrastructure upgrades.

Zhoushan has also made notable breakthroughs. It conducted East China's first high-sulfur biofuel bunkering, completed reports on liquefied natural gas fueling for five new ship types, and introduced an electronic bunker delivery notes system, making it China's first and the world's third port to adopt a fully digitalized bonded fueling process.

Sinopec's operation delivered nearly 5,700 tons of B24 low-sulfur biofuel from Zhoushan to the vessel Maersk Kirsten in Ningbo, Zhejiang, on July 16 and 17, marking the country's largest single-vessel bonded biofuel order to date.

With 62 bunkering barges, 16 priority anchorage spots, and enhanced operations allowing higher sea states, Zhoushan is emerging as a global refueling hub for major international shipping clients.