By the end of 2025, the shipping ability of Zhoushan is expected to exceed 10 million tons. [Photo/WeChat account: china-zjftz]

The shipping industry in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province has rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic and began its overall recovery since the second half of last year, local media reported on May 31.

The city's transportation of general goods realized profits, while the performance of its refined oil transportation increased significantly in the latter half of last year. In 2020, the shipping industry in the city made profits of more than 300 million yuan ($47.12 million).

A staff member from the local shipping and port bureau said that they had formulated a contingency plan for emergency supplies transportation, as well as pandemic prevention and control during the COVID-19 outbreak.

He added that they have also rolled out favorable policies to help local shipping companies solve problems, including the shifts of crewmembers.

Zhoushan authorities also organized training classes for employees from Sichuan province to help local companies alleviate the shortage of sailors.

In addition, Zhoushan has offered financial incentives and support to encourage the utilization of larger-sized vessels with stronger shipping ability.

Currently, the average tonnage of all the ships in Zhoushan amounted to 5,228, 37.6 percent higher than that in 2015, while the average vessel age of fleets in the city lowered to six to seven years old, far younger than the average vessel age for coastal cities in the country.

Zhoushan's shipping ability accounts for 9.4 percent of the national total, ranking among the best of prefecture-level cities in China.

By the end of 2025, the shipping ability of Zhoushan is expected to exceed 10 million metric tons.