Following the introduction of "Seafarer Priority" services at the airport, the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration has now launched seafarer-friendly hotels.

On June 30, the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Seafarer-Friendly Hotels with the Northeast Branch of Huazhu Hotels Group, introducing the first batch of ten seafarer-friendly hotels. Seafarers and their family members are eligible for special discounted rates at these establishments. Mr. Li Daze, Director General of the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration, attended the signing ceremony. Mr. Jin Hui, Deputy Director General of the Yingkou MSA, and Ms. Li Xinwei, Manager of the Northeast Branch of Huazhu Hotels Group, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

At the ceremony, Director General Li Daze elaborated on Yingkou's history as a century-old port city and the new development opportunities it faces, as well as the vital role seafarers play in shipping safety and development. He also outlined the Yingkou MSA's guiding philosophy of building a "Happy Harbour for Seafarers." He noted that Huazhu Group's active participation in this initiative provides a boon to seafarers by making their travel more convenient and affordable, and that the launch of the first batch of seafarer-friendly hotels significantly enhances the level of port and shipping services in Yingkou. Ms. Li Xinwei of Huazhu Hotels Group stated that the company is keen to play an active role in building Yingkou's "Happy Harbour for Seafarers" and to extend even more and better services to seafarers.

Following the ceremony, Director General Li Daze and his delegation attended an inauguration ceremony to award the "Seafarer-Friendly Hotel" plaque at a representative hotel. They toured the guest rooms, dining, fitness, and laundry areas, gaining on-the-ground understanding of the room booking procedures and the implementation of the seafarer-friendly terms.

Previously, the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration, the Yingkou Municipal Transportation Bureau, and Yingkou Lanqi Airport jointly launched "Seafarer Priority" services at the airport. Travelling seafarers can now enjoy priority treatment equivalent to that afforded to military personnel across all processes, including check-in and security screening, simply by presenting a valid seafarer's identity document.

At the Yingkou Lanqi Airport terminal, "Seafarer Priority" signage has been added at check-in counters. Seafarer travellers presenting valid seafarer papers can proceed with priority check-in. After check-in, a dedicated "Seafarer Priority" sticker is affixed to the boarding pass, granting priority access through security lanes as well. During periods of concentrated seafarer travel, the airport will also open dedicated security channels as appropriate. Airport volunteers have been arranged to provide seafarers with full guidance from check-in through to security, ensuring attentive service and a smooth process.

Going forward, the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration will further strengthen collaborative efforts with local government, port enterprises, industry associations, medical institutions, transport authorities, and other diverse stakeholders. It will continue to enhance the suite of seafarer-friendly measures across various sectors, striving to make Yingkou—the "century-old port city"—a model city for seafarer services and support, so that all seafarers can "sail with peace at sea, find warmth ashore, and feel at home in Yingkou."