HONG KONG has a "unique advantage" of handling international relay cargo between Chinese ports carried by foreign-flagged vessels under China's reformed cabotage rules, says Hongkong International Terminals managing director Gerry Yim.
"Cabotage laws in China prohibit foreign flagged-vessels moving cargo from one mainland coastal port to another... only Hong Kong is permitted to be considered as a foreign port and not subject to China's national cabotage rules," Mr Yim wrote in an open letter.
Under recent rule changes, Chinese-owned foreign-flagged ships are allowed to carry international relay cargo between Shanghai and other Chinese ports to promote greater transshipments via Shanghai.
David Skov, Maersk Line's South China chief, has suggested China needs to open its coastal trade to foreign carriers, saying it would increase business over all and well as increase transshipments through Shanghai.
-
Company DirectoryFreight RateExport RateAgency PartnershipCargo Leads