ExxonMobil's first liquid export vessel is about to leave port
(Photo courtesy: Huizhou Maritime Bureau)
On May 15, the vessel Shenghang Challenge left Huizhou Quanmei Petrochemical Terminal after completing the loading of 4,000 tons of toluene. The vessel was scheduled to head for Singapore. This is the first liquid export ship of ExxonMobil (Huizhou) Chemical Co., Ltd. As of now, Huizhou Maritime authority has supervised the loading and unloading of 30 ships to and from Huizhou Quanmei Petrochemical Terminal, with total throughput exceeding 400,000 tons.
ExxonMobil Huizhou ethylene project is known to be one of the major foreign investment projects in China. Located in Daya Bay Petrochemical Park the project is currently the largest single investment project in the petrochemical industry in Huizhou, with a total investment of about 10 billion USD. The maiden voyage not only marks a new breakthrough in ExxonMobil's liquid chemicals export, but is also a key step for the regional petrochemical industry to deepen international cooperation and integrate into the global supply chain, injecting strong kinetic energy into the high-quality development of Huizhou’s foreign trade.
On that day, in order to ensure safe and efficient customs clearance, Huizhou maritime authority carried out joint inspection in collaboration with border control and port authority. By taking effective measures, such as real-time monitoring of ship operation, declaration process optimization, set-up of green channel, Huizhou maritime authority is able to complete customs clearance in one go, significantly compressing the duration of ships in port.
Huizhou maritime law enforcement officers paid special attention to the seaworthiness of the ship, cargo fitness conditions and the implementation of anti-pollution measures, inspected the waterway and dock-front waters, made full use of information technology equipment to strengthen the remote site monitoring, and ensured that navigation environment was good when the ship entered and left the port.
Toluene is known to be one of the most important aromatic compounds, made from crude oil by the petrochemical process. It serves as a solvent for the production of oils, resins, rubber, asphalt, and acetate. It can also be used in the production of aviation and automotive gasoline, with a very wide range of applications.
According to a local maritime official, “The successful departure of ExxonMobil's first export vessel reflected Huizhou’s regional chemical industry chain being connected to the global market.” By further optimizing Huizhou’s business environment, Huizhou maritime authority will continue to deepen “Internet + administrative service”, encourage local enterprises to cut cost and improve efficiency, and enable local petrochemical industry to be connected with the global supply chain.
Huizhou Quanmei Petrochemical Terminal was first put into use in March 4 this year. By adhering to the “safety-first and service-enhancement” principle, local maritime authority has made increased efforts to understand the needs of local enterprises, establish an interface mechanism and offer professional services, such as collective declaration, and navigation safety guarantee to local enterprises.
Reported by: LIU Haowei, LIU Yiting
