On 29 June 2021, the long-haul container vessel “ZIM Virginia” was bunkered with 2,700 tonnes of bonded fuel oil in the West Port of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN), marking an important step of the bonded bunkering reform in Shenzhen. It is also of great significance to establish Yantian District as an international shipping hub and an off shore trading centre.

The success of the first bonded bunkering for the long-haul vessel in Shenzhen demonstrates the improvement of maritime service capabilities of YANTIAN Port, which will give impetus to the shipping service industry in YANTIAN as well as Shenzhen. As one of the busiest container terminals globally, YANTIAN receives approximately 10,000 container vessels on a yearly basis. Starting from June 24, YANTIAN resumed full operations. The bunkering operation has harnessed the service strength of YANTIAN Port to better serve the calling vessels, attract more international services and enhance the competitiveness of YANTIAN as an international shipping hub.  

During its call to YANTIAN, “ZIM Virginia” was filled with low-sulfur fuel oil, as part of the port’s efforts to implement the environmental protection policy of China to control sulfide emissions, and create a green port. YANTIAN, through its eco-friendly technologies, is able to reduce the carbon footprint of its terminal operations. It has the largest fleets of electronic gantry cranes and LNG-powered tractors in South China, leading the industry in providing shore power for the world’s largest container vessels. Over the past decade, YANTIAN has reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions for every container it handled by over 30% and 20% respectively, contributing to the city’s goals to achieve peak CO2 emissions and carbon neutrality.

A ceremony to mark the event held on 29 June was attended by Ai Xuefeng, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Shenzhen; Wu You, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Municipal Government; Chen Qing, Secretary of the CPC Yantian District Committee; Deng Feibo, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Yantian District Committee and Head of Yantian District Government; Sun Huaming, Deputy Director of the Office of Reform of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee; Tu Lin, Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen Customs; Qu Yijiang, Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration; Zhou Mingwu, Deputy Director-General of the Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality; Sun Bo, Chairman of YANTIAN Port Group; Dong Yanze, Director of the Department of Port and Shipping Administration of Shenzhen Transport Bureau; and Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN.