The new clearance center at Zhoushan's Xiaogan Island Maritime Industrial Park. [Photo provided for Tide News]

A new maritime clearance center has begun operations at the Xiaogan Island Maritime Industrial Park in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province.

A group of French seafarers completed their shore leave procedures at the new facility during its launch on June 1, undergoing identity checks, baggage inspections, and system-based declarations before finishing their crew change process. The group arrived from the French-flagged vessel Rene, which was docked at a local ship repair terminal operated by Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard.

Crew change procedures previously required travel to a government service center in central Zhoushan, where traffic congestion and high service demand often led to delays.

Border inspection officials said they have conducted field studies and developed dedicated procedures to ensure the smooth operation of the first batch of services, with plans to expand the center's functions and improve clearance processes for both vessels and crew.

The industrial park will also develop supporting services, including dining and retail facilities, to build a more comprehensive maritime service hub.