A Panama-flagged vessel carrying more than 4,750 metric tons of New Zealand kiwifruit docked at Shanghai Nangang Terminal in Lin-gang Special Area on March 30.

The Panama-flagged vessel Kowhai arrives in Lin-gang carrying kiwifruit. [Photo/Yangshan Border Inspection Station]

After completing immigration inspection procedures, the shipment quickly entered unloading and transfer operations. Yangshan Border Inspection Station, together with port and shipping partners, established a green channel for perishable goods to facilitate clearance and unloading, ensuring the fresh fruit reaches the Chinese market in optimal condition.

As the first dedicated kiwifruit vessel to arrive in China each year, the vessel Kowhai signals the full start of the new kiwifruit import season. The ship completed its voyage to Shanghai in just 12 days, and this point-to-point, direct shipping model helps maintain fruit quality and scale while optimizing logistics costs.

To support efficient handling of imported fresh fruit, Lin-gang has developed a nearby cold-chain logistics park, equipped with Asia's first automated kiwifruit sorting and packaging production line. The park is only a short 10-minute drive from Nangang Terminal, enabling rapid warehousing and market circulation.

To ensure smooth clearance and efficient unloading, Yangshan Border Inspection Station operates a 24-hour duty schedule and provides inspection-on-arrival services. Pre-arrival procedures are completed online, allowing for rapid entry checks upon docking and near-zero waiting time for loading and unloading.