Rugao port in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The new year has brought a flurry of activity to Rugao Port. At the wharf of Jiangsu Haitong Offshore Engineering, a newly built vessel sounded its horn and set sail for overseas waters after completing border inspection procedures. It was the first export-bound newbuild ship this year.

To ensure smooth departure, the Rugao border inspection station coordinated closely with the shipbuilder in advance, carefully verifying vessel specifications, crew details and sailing schedules. A tailored service was put in place, with a dedicated green channel and streamlined inspection procedures to speed up clearance and minimize the vessel's time in port.

In 2025 alone, the Rugao border inspection station facilitated the export of 17 newly built ships, delivering on its commitment to support port development and industrial upgrading through efficient clearance services.

Official data show that in 2025 the station inspected a total of 1,390 inbound and outbound vessels and nearly 28,300 crew members, representing year-on-year increases of 15.96 percent and 18.59 percent, respectively. Behind these figures lies the continued vitality of Rugao's port economy and the steady momentum of its foreign trade.