The Belt and Road gives boost to Ningbo-Zhoushan port

A ship sails through the Ningbo Zhoushan Port. [Photo: China Plus]

Authorities in charge of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang are suggesting the 'Belt and Road' Initative has created a need for an expansion of their facilities.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative being proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.Since its launch, the Belt and Road has seen increased trade among countries along the routes, including China.This has created a boom for the Ningbo Zhoushan Port, which is an intersection for both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is the busiest port in China, with nearly 250 sea routes linking more than 600 harbors around the world.

Chen Yi, general manager of a trading Company in Ningbo, says the 'Belt and Road' has allowed their company to tap markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

"In the last few years, Chinese consumers were not familiar with goods from the Central and Eastern European countries. With the support from government, we bring their quality products to China. Chinese consumers give the top evaluation after they have experienced our products with lower price. For example, many consumers think Polish milk is much cheaper, healthier and tastes good."

The volume of trade among Ningbo and Central and Eastern European countries hit nearly 3 billion dollars last year, up 23 percent year on year. Last year, Ningbo-Zhoushan port moved 300-million standard containers among the four main ports in central and eastern Europe, a yearly rise of 37 percent.

Jiang Wei is with the Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group.

"In the past five years, we have achieved the goal, known as "Four Big Steps in Four Years". The cargo throughput reached 0.9 billion tons at our port in 2016. Last year, it hits 1 billion tons which makes the port the first in the world to exceed such volume. With the promotion of "the Belt and Road", the port has maintained a rapid development from the point of "quantity" view."

Jiang Wei adds the port intends to attract more business in the future.

"With the deepening of reform and opening-up, along with the promotion of the 'belt and road', we have long lasting relationship with ports and shipping enterprises along the routes. The fourth Martime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum opened in Ningbo in June. Over 400 representatives from more than 40 countries flocked into the city for the event. So things here, I think, will get better and better in future."

By 2022, the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is set to handle 1.2 billion tons of cargo per year.