On October 16, the “Zhong Ming Zhou 11,” a refrigerated cargo ship built in Ningde, successfully completed its customs and border inspection at Baima Port in Fujian Province before embarking on its inaugural voyage to the Indian Ocean.

The vessel, developed and constructed by Ningde City Jian Gang Marine Equipment Co., features a total length of 133.3 meters, a width of 20 meters, and a depth of 11.5 meters. It has a designed sailing speed of 14.5 knots and a refrigerated hold capacity of 12,600 cubic meters, equipped with intelligent temperature control in each compartment, making it ideal for long-distance fishing refrigeration and storage.

On this maiden journey, the ship is manned by a crew of 27 Chinese members, tasked with overseeing the operations at sea. Officials from the Ningde Border Inspection Station reported that they proactively strengthened communication with the company to stay informed about the vessel and crew preparations, ensuring a smooth process for the ship’s departure.

Ningde’s Fu’an City is recognized as one of the three major shipbuilding bases in Fujian Province. Local shipbuilding companies are leveraging their traditional advantages in the industry to innovate and develop various types and specifications of vessels and marine equipment, facilitating the international presence of “Ningde-made” ships.

According to data from the Ningde Border Inspection Station, Fu’an shipyards have completed more than 40 ship repairs and new builds for export in 2023. Notably, over half of these vessels have been exported to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, covering a range of types such as marine engineering vessels, barge carriers, and passenger ships.