Hexen Argo 001, a special cargo ship for transporting containers, bulk cargo and breakbulk cargo to Indonesia at the same time, is launched at Xinye Terminal of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Daxie Development Zone, Beilun district, Ningbo, East China’s Zhejiang province on May 24. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port launched a freighter to serve Indonesia on May 24 which is able to transport containers, bulk cargo and breakbulk cargo at the same time, the first of its kind in the port's history. 

The ship represents a new logistics model designed by the port to meet the needs of Zhejiang Tsingshan Steel Co, one of its large clients, for transport of its diverse cargo varieties. It also enhances the logistics services for countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Containers can be loaded on the deck while bulk and breakbulk cargo can be stored below deck.

The vessel carried 125 standard containers, 5,400 metric tons of bulk cargo and 1,000 tons of breakbulk cargo on its first voyage on May 24. It is scheduled to sail four times each month.

"Thanks to the new logistics model, our cargoes can be transported from one place instead of different places, which saves transport time by two to three weeks and cuts one third of costs," said Cao Zhiqiang, vice president of Zhejiang Tsingshan Steel Co.

The company currently has production bases in Indonesia, Zimbabwe and India.