Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province reached a new milestone in its bonded marine fuel hub development on Aug 28 as the Vanuatu-registered cargo ship Ocean Daria received 175 metric tons of light fuel oil and 1.06 tons of supplies simultaneously from two barges. 

The operation marked the first time the city's anchorage provided dual-side refueling and material replenishment, offering international vessels an integrated offshore supply service.

Previously, ships needed separate stops for fuel and other essentials such as provisions and spare parts, extending schedules and raising costs. The new "one-stop" model is expected to improve efficiency, reduce expenses, and strengthen anchorage capacity.

Driven by demand from shipowners, fuel providers, and suppliers, the Zhoushan municipal administration of maritime safety collaborated with local authorities to include dual-side operations in its policy framework. Guidelines were established to ensure safety, compliance, and risk control, with detailed mooring plans and emergency procedures which were created for participating companies.

On the first day of operation, maritime authorities opened a special channel for service vessels to reach the designated area quickly, conducted safety checks on firefighting and pollution-control equipment, and monitored the process with patrol boats and drones. The synchronized fuel and supply delivery was completed smoothly, earning positive feedback from ship operators for saving time and costs.

This trial will help refine supervision and services, positioning Zhoushan anchorage as a trusted maritime service hub in the Yangtze River Delta region.