The shipbuilding business is one of the key industries in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. Shipyards have resumed operations despite the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

It is the first Very Large Carrier that eastern province of Jiangsu has seen on the Yangtze River this year. The Ore Carrier is 340 meters long and 62 meters wide. Above water it stands as high as an 18-story building, and its deck is longer than two football fields.

"The downstream of the Yangtze River is one of the busiest routes in the world. There are roughly 1,500 ships traveling everyday. And such a large carrier will occupy other ships' operating routes," said Luo Yiqin, section chief of Jingjiang Marine Department of Jiangsu.

Usually, carriers this large berth in the sea for construction after a trial voyage. However, shipbuilders have to be quarantined for two weeks before boarding the ship if they traveled to neighboring Zhejiang Province during the epidemic outbreak. This would lead to a late delivery. Local authorities have taken measures to ensure the ship can return to the wharf for immediate work to meet the schedule.

"This section of the river is very narrow, so we have to control the traffic and arrange patrol vessels to guide the carrier," said Luo.

Over 100 shipbuilders have boarded the carrier and started working. Strict measures have been taken on board to prevent the spreading of the disease. Workers have to quarantine for two weeks after finishing their work. The ship is expected to be delivered in early March.