HAIKOU, China, June 25. /TASS/. The total number of large-tonnage international ships registered at Yangpu Port (in the southern Chinese province of Hainan) has reached 61, with a total carrying capacity of up to six million tons, according to the Hainan Daily newspaper.
One of the latest vessels registered at the port is the ChinaSat 9 (Zhongxing-9), measuring 229 meters long and 32.5 meters wide with a carrying capacity of over 81,000 tons. Chen Ji, the CEO of the shipowner, Hainan Zhunxing Shipping Co., told the newspaper that Hainan's zero tariff policy significantly reduced the cost of purchasing the vessel.
The official stated that the ship was purchased in Europe and imported at zero tariffs thanks to support measures provided by the Hainan Free Trade Port. This allows companies to save 9% on import tariffs and 13% on value-added taxes, significantly reducing operating costs.
The zero tariff policy applies in Hainan to ships built abroad and to those built in China and then exported. For instance, the Hongbo-16, a vessel built in the PRC, is expected to receive an export tax refund of over 10 million yuan. This effectively reduces the shipping company's vessel purchase costs by over 11%, according to the publication.
According to the newspaper, the Yangpu Economic Development Zone has taken full advantage of the key free trade port parks in Hainan and developed special support measures to promote the port's and aviation logistics industry's development. "Our company is open in Yangpu, and we expect to receive several million yuan in compensation for the opening of new facilities," the publication quotes Chen Ji as saying.
The newspaper also reports that the ship registration procedure in the port of Yangpu is being simplified.