A port in Haimen district, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu] 

The Haimen district of Nantong reported a foreign trade value of 17 billion yuan ($2.5 billion) from January to April, a substantial year-on-year increase of 50.4 percent. 

This growth rate is the highest in Nantong. Key industries such as high-tech marine engineering and new energy have become the main drivers of this growth. 

Among the achievements, the China Merchants Heavy Industry Haimen Base delivered China's first 180,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas carrier, Celsius Georgetown, and five more ships of the same type are under construction. 

China Merchants Heavy Industry Haimen Base. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu] 

Moreover, overseas orders for Haixin Shipping Heavy Industries and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry have been scheduled for production through 2030 and 2031, respectively. Meanwhile, Aeolon Wind Power reported an import and export value exceeding 1 billion yuan, maintaining steady growth.