Huadong Shipyard Company in East China's Fujian province reports a significant rise in output value this year amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. [Photo by Liu Qiyi/ fjsen.com]

Fujian Huadong Shipyard Company, the largest hub for ship manufacturing and repair on the southeast coast of China, has reported a significant rise in output value, according to local media reports on March 2.

Statistics showed that the company ranked 5th among 600 repair yards worldwide, and it has established business relations with a number of major shipping countries such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, with international business accounting for over 90 percent of all the company's business.

The company's output value hit 120 million yuan ($17.22 million) this January, growing 138 percent year-on-year, according to Chen Weiren, president of the company.

Chen said that the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic had a negative impact on the company's operations, leading to a shortage of workers and raw materials, as well as to transport and supply chain disruptions.

In an effort to help the company resume production, local governments have set up a special working group to provide important services.

Green channels have been opened as well, allowing the company to transport urgently needed raw materials. Migrant workers returning to work have been placed at designated hotels for 14 days of medical observation, and those unable to return to the factory have been promised a basic salary.

The company has also prepared adequate protective materials and made emergency plans to cope with risks posed by the epidemic.

Thanks to joint efforts made in cooperation with the local government, Huadong Shipyard Company has managed to maintain growth throughout the epidemic, with its output value expected to exceed 100 percent year-on-year.

Since January, Huadong Shipyard Company has delivered 24 ships on schedule and received more than 200 orders for ship repair, allowing it to maintain a steady growth in output value amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.