On December 18, the passenger-RoRo ship "Shuang Tai 37," fully loaded with passengers and vehicles, slowly departed from Haikou's Xinhaigang under the supervision and escort of the Haikou Maritime Safety Administration. This marks the first passenger-RoRo vessel to safely leave the island following the launch of Hainan Free Trade Port's island-wide customs closure.
At the Qiongzhou Strait Vessel Traffic Management Center, the real-time navigation trajectory and dynamic data of the "Shuang Tai 37" were displayed on the large screen via the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system. According to Zou Xianzhi, Director of the Haikou Maritime Safety Administration, the authority utilized its smart maritime supervision platform to implement "point-to-point" tracking of the vessel throughout its journey, ensuring direct entry and exit for efficient operations.
Before departure, maritime law enforcement officers conducted swift inspections of the ship's seaworthiness and vehicle securing measures to guarantee a safe and prompt exit.
"Customs closure is the 'top priority project' for the Hainan Free Trade Port's development. As Xinhaigang serves as the busiest 'second-line' port for island entry and exit, the smooth and secure operation of passenger-RoRo transport is critical," Zou emphasized. The Haikou Maritime Safety Administration has deployed patrol vessels along key routes and fishing zones, while coordinating emergency rescue teams to remain on standby for rapid response to contingencies.
Anticipating a potential surge in vessel traffic post-closure, Zou noted that the administration proactively engaged in the expansion of Xinhaigang's inbound and outbound channels. It collaborated with project developers, participated in navigational safety assessments, and provided technical guidance on buoy adjustments to align with post-closure maritime traffic demands.
To streamline operations, approval processes were optimized, shortening permit issuance times for buoy adjustments. Navigational warnings were promptly issued to guide vessels safely, ensuring a smooth transition during construction while maintaining unimpeded Qiongzhou Strait passenger-RoRo transport.
Additionally, joint efforts with local transport and navigation authorities cleared obstructive fishing nets from the waterways, enhancing both construction safety and navigational efficiency. "The widened channel significantly boosts navigational capacity, offering broader and safer waters for post-closure RoRo transport," Zou added.
As of 18:00 on December 18, Qiongzhou Strait recorded 179 passenger-RoRo ship movements, transporting 35,263 passengers and 10,611 vehicles, maintaining levels comparable to the previous year.