Supply-side structural reform measures have helped the water transportation sector achieve significant cost savings last year, according to officials.

In accordance with the new port fees and billing measures published by the Ministry of Transport last July, eight port corporations and groups have lowered their operation charges, in turn helping shipping enterprises save about 5.66 billion yuan, said Yi Jiyong, deputy head of the Water Transport Bureau under the Ministry of Transport.

By collaborating with China Railway Corp, the volume of containers from rail and river sources at Chinese ports soared 34.8 percent year-on-year to 1.75 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit) in the first five months this year. The new transportation solution is expected to result in savings of up to 13 billion yuan year, added Yi.

As part of efforts to promote the development of green shipping, the central government has encouraged shore power applications and provided 740 million yuan worth of subsidies between 2016 and 2018 to such projects.

In addition to shore power development, Shanghai’s fully automated container terminal, also know as the fourth phase of the Yangshan Port project, also boasts zero carbon dioxide emissions thanks to its unique energy consumption structure, said Zhang Lin, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission.

The two officials made their comments on Tuesday during a news conference for the upcoming China National Maritime Day on Wednesday. A series of activities have been announced, including forums on maritime cooperation, academic exchanges between maritime colleges and the launch of youth summer camps across the country.

The Maritime Day of China was initiated in 2005 to mark the 600th anniversary of the first ocean voyage of Zheng He, the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) navigator, who made seven overseas voyages for cultural and economic exchanges with the rest of the world.