A ferryboat manufactured in Zhuhai left Gaolan Port for Tanzania in East Africa on Feb 25, marking this year's first exportation of goods to countries along the Belt & Road via Zhuhai Port.

The 50-meter (54-yd) ship, built by Zhuhai Plenty Shipbuilding Industry in the Pingsha Yacht Industrial Zone of Jinwan District, will be used for passenger transport between Tanzania's Indian Ocean islands.

Despite the epidemic outbreak, Zhuhai Port & Shipping Management pulled together workers and equipment and developed a berth plan through no-contact coordination with the wharf operator, partners, and client.

Da Qing Xia receives Zhuhai-made ferryboat [Photo by Zhang Zhou / Guanhai App] 

Da Qing Xia, a huge cargo ship operated by COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, was berthed in position on Feb 24, and Zhuhai International Container Terminals (Gaolan) completed hoisting and strapping the ferryboat aboard in 34 hours.

This was first time that cooperation between Zhuhai Port Holdings Group and COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers resulted in a shipment to a Belt & Road country. Last year, the two companies collaborated in exporting several yachts to Southeast Asia and housing modules to New Zealand.

In deepening their ties, they now conduct business without intermediates. The large vessels operated by COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers are prioritized in berthing, and the company in return has selected Gaolan Port as its South China home port for sundry Belt & Road goods.

Zhuhai Port will further increase the number of shipping routes to countries and regions along the Belt & Road and become an international port hub relying on its advantageous geographical location and the welcoming policies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.