The ship service zone in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A 110-meter pontoon berthed at Changyuan Wharf in Rugao, Nantong on May 15 and will form the largest ship service zone in the Yangtze River, along with an additional 70-meter pontoon and 60-meter pontoon, local media reported.

It is the only comprehensive and environmentally-friendly ship service zone in Jiangsu province and the only on-water ship service zone in China that offers electric power to ships, with two transformers in the pontoon.

"Like service zones along expressways, the on-water service zone provides basic services to ships, such as maintenance, a fuel supply, and a convenient store," said Xu Ning, chairman of Fu Gang Construction Group, developer of the service zone.

According to Xu, the zone is expected to begin operating in June and will offer free services such as receiving sewage and waste and on-water transport for 30 10,000-ton river boats at the same time.

Officials said the zone will strictly adhere to new development concepts such as innovation, coordination, green development, opening up, and sharing, and work to increase the eco-friendliness of ships.