Shanghai-based Golden Harvest Shipping Service Co Ltd decided to launch operations in Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Zhoushan, an island city in East China's Zhejiang province, on Aug 8, according to local media reports.

"Zhoushan boasts an advantageous geographical position and its businesses of ship repair and marine fuel filling attract increasingly more ships to berth," said Wu Luqun, deputy general manager of Golden Harvest.

Wu concluded that therefore, Zhoushan is a good choice for the company to seek further development.

"Zhoushan authorities have spared no effort to construct the city into an international maritime service base in recent years, and it is also beneficial to our further development," added Wu.

"Golden Harvest has established offices in China and other countries and its operation in Zhoushan will enhance the overall strength of the Zhejiang Pilot FTZ in foreign ship supply," said Zhao Jun from Zhoushan Shipping and Port Administration.

Founded in 1997, Golden Harvest is a multinational ship supplier and has grown into one of the largest in China, with operations in Dubai, Melbourne, Osaka and Piraeus.

Zhoushan has been focusing on attracting leading ship supply service companies and it has introduced 47 such companies this year, increasing the total number to more than 200, including Ben Line Agencies (HK) Ltd.

Moving forward, the city will emphasize the introduction of global ship suppliers and professional suppliers of ship spare parts in a bid to develop Zhoushan into a world-class maritime service base.