The chemical-grade barite powder is loaded onto a ship at Xiamen Port. [Photo/Fujian Maritime Safety Administration]
A batch of 35,000 metric tons of chemical-grade barite powder departed from the ITG Terminal in the Dongdu Port Area of the Xiamen Free Trade Zone aboard the bulk carrier COAL PEARL bound for the Netherlands and Italy.
This is the first batch exported from the port this year, marking a new phase in which maritime exports of the product have entered efficient and standardized regular supervision.
Chemical-grade barite powder is a key Chinese industrial export, with annual shipments of around 70,000 tons valued at over 100 million yuan ($14.5 million) — most of it shipped through Xiamen Port.
Since Amendment 07-23 to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) took effect, maritime exports of the product have been under normalized supervision.
Previously, Xiamen FTZ and Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration worked together to tackle export challenges caused by international shipping regulations — such as high costs and logistical barriers — by aligning with global standards to help businesses ship special categories of goods safely and compliantly.
The shift to standardized regular supervision was recognized as one of the sixth batch of "Best Practice Cases" from national pilot free trade zones under the title "Actively Participating in the Formulation of International Maritime Transport Rules to Promote Chinese Standards Going Global".
Xiamen Customs officials supervise the recent export of barite powder. [Photo/Fujian Maritime Safety Administration]