Ningde takes steps for smooth vehicle dispatches

A containership loaded with 1,000 Chinese-made vehicles left Ningde in East China’s Fujian province for Mexico recently.

Manufactured at the Ningde production base of the country’s major automaker SAIC Motor, the batch includes 258 electric vehicles, 100 hybrid and 642 gasoline cars.

The export-bound vehicles started their journey on Jan 30, the fifth day of the Spring Festival travel rush and is expected to arrive in Mexico around mid-February, during the Chinese New Year holiday period.

Faced with particularly heavy cargo traffic during Spring Festival, the maritime bureau of Ningde has taken targeted measures to ensure smooth transport.

“We have optimized inspection procedures and tailored inspection plans based on the features of different vessels to improve efficiency,” said Li Zongming, an official with the Sanduao maritime affairs office under Ningde’s maritime bureau.

The inspections are mainly focused on navigation facilities, fire safety and lifesaving equipment, crew capabilities as well as loading requirements, Li added.

Eyeing improved efficiency, Ningde has leveraged its maritime coordination platform to provide 24/7 services for vessel arrivals and departures, facilitating online processing and approval, and significantly shortening the time taken for multiple procedures.

In addition, through the comprehensive use of command systems, automatic tracking and drone patrols, Ningde’s maritime bureau has maintained follow-up controls for navigation and operation of vessels.

“This way, we get to keep a close eye on weather changes and give timely warnings on cold waves and strong winds to terminals and ships, ensuring safe and efficient transport,” Li said.

Since the beginning of this year, Ningde has facilitated the export of 2,172 vehicles, with ship routes covering regions such as the Americas and West Asia, said its maritime bureau.

The port city will continue to strengthen its maritime services, promote trade facilitation and enhance Customs clearance services, in order to achieve a higher internationalization level at its ports and facilitate the export of “Ningde-made” products, it added.