Sailing Together on Boundless Seas, Financial Vitality Flowing to the Deep Blue - Record of Chouzhou Bank Empowering High-Quality Development of Marine Economy

Zhoushan, an archipelago of stars, tides surging southeast.

On this land embraced by blue waves, the marine economy is racing forward at an unprecedented speed. From giant ships cutting through waves to towering port cranes, from the roar of machinery in seafood processing plants to the research and development of marine engineering equipment, this city, which takes the sea as its field and islands as its home, is turning the sound of waves into the rhythm of development. Amid this rhythm, Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank (hereinafter referred to as “Chouzhou Bank”) is using finance as a paddle, exploring the “financially driven to the sea” route among the thousands of islands.

Rising with the sea, escort ships sailing into the deep blue

In the Zhoushan Archipelago waters, shipping lanes crisscross, ships come and go. The shipping industry is the lifeblood of this city.

At the dock of Dinghai Fuchang Shipping Co., Ltd., the “Fuchang 17” transport ship is quietly moored, ready to depart. The ship is about to set sail, transporting bulk goods from Zhoushan to the Yangtze River Delta. Not long ago, the company was worried about funding—purchasing ships, expanding routes, operational turnover—all of which required substantial financial investment.

A client manager from Chouzhou Bank Zhoushan Branch learned of this during a visit. Without complicated procedures or long waits, a special loan of 42 million yuan was quickly approved. The ship moved, the funds became active, and the company’s voyage was no longer delayed.

This is a microcosm of Chouzhou Bank’s service to the shipping industry. Based on the strategic blueprint of building a modern marine city and creating a world-class port, the bank has made the shipping industry a key service area, developing a comprehensive “one-ship” industry chain service list, and establishing a precise “one-ship, one-loan, one-top” service orientation. From individual shipowners to large shipping companies, from ship purchase to daily operations, financial support covers the entire lifecycle. By the end of December 2025, the bank had served 137 Zhoushan shipping enterprises, providing over 620 million yuan in credit support.

Image: “Fuchang 17” transport ship, photo by Li Dongdong

In the unique Zhoushan direct waterway transportation sector, targeted financial support is especially evident. For government-invested direct waterway transportation companies, Chouzhou Bank offers tailored comprehensive financial service plans. Once funds are in place, companies can accelerate ship upgrades and expand routes, ensuring smooth maritime logistics channels between Zhoushan and the Yangtze River Delta, providing solid financial backing for the “International Logistics Island” construction.

Moving forward with innovation, helping foreign trade enterprises adapt flexibly

The marine economy involves not only ships sailing far but also countless small and medium-sized enterprises fighting the waves.

At Zhoushan Zhanmao Industrial Park, in a workshop of a foreign trade enterprise specializing in deep processing of aquatic products, workers are busy loading processed water products into boxes. Orders flood in during peak season, but the company’s leader once faced worries—inventory and accounts receivable tied up large amounts of capital, and cash flow was tight.

Image: Chouzhou Bank client manager visiting foreign trade aquatic product processing workshop, photo by Han Fangfang

To address the operational pain points of foreign trade companies receiving multiple orders with medium to long-term receivables, Chouzhou Bank developed an innovative “accounts receivable pool financing” model. Multiple scattered receivables are consolidated into a “funding pool,” which grants short-term financing based on the pool’s balance, allowing for flexible borrowing and repayment, with dynamic rolling. The 2 million yuan credit line under this model enabled the company to seamlessly meet peak season delivery demands, precisely clearing the “bottleneck” in its capital chain.

“Short, frequent, fast”—this is the rhythm of small foreign trade enterprises, and it is also the beat that financial innovation must match. To cater to the characteristics of export-oriented economy, Chouzhou Bank has also launched “Transport Capacity Loans,” solving the financing difficulties of accounts receivable for freight forwarders and foreign trade companies through credit facilities and targeted payments. These product innovations allow financial resources to more flexibly penetrate the capillaries of the marine economy, injecting lasting momentum into Zhoushan’s high-quality export development.

Deep cultivation, accelerating marine industry development

At the Cenggang Laotangshan port construction site in Dinghai District, Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the 20,000-ton quay project is bustling with activity. As an important transportation hub, it will feature open storage yards, warehouses, and specialized loading and unloading equipment, precisely matching the needs of bulk cargo and various types of freight.

Behind this project is a powerful 100 million yuan loan from Chouzhou Bank. Once completed, the port will further activate regional marine economic potential and inject strong momentum into the improvement of bulk cargo logistics channels. The power of finance extends beyond simple funding support to the deeper realm of infrastructure construction.

Image: Chouzhou Bank conducting on-site research at marine engineering equipment enterprise, photo by Fang Jingbo

The marine engineering equipment industry is a core pillar of the marine economy. In Daishan, a specialized and innovative enterprise focusing on marine fisheries equipment, marine scientific research equipment, offshore engineering equipment, and fiberglass ships is tackling core technological R&D. With high R&D costs and long return cycles, financial pressure is constant. Chouzhou Bank precisely allocated 10 million yuan in loans to support technological R&D. This funding was like a timely rain, alleviating R&D financial pressure and helping the company continue to break through key technologies, laying a solid foundation for high-quality development of Zhoushan’s marine engineering equipment industry.

Looking far ahead, resonating with the marine economy

From giant ships sailing afar to port construction, from seafood processing to offshore engineering equipment, the bank’s reach extends to every corner of the marine economy. To date, the bank has supported over 2.1 billion yuan in credit funds in the Zhoushan marine sector, benefiting 1,598 enterprises. Deep engagement in marine finance reflects the bank’s keen grasp of the pulse of marine economic development and its firm commitment to the “Finance + Marine” strategy.

Rooted in the thousands of islands, exploring the blue sea. Chouzhou Bank is providing more precise financial services and warmer support, resonating and coexisting with the marine economy.

(Article by Han Fangfang, Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank)

(Editor: Jiang Yongdan)

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