Pilot Program Will Open Mainland Shipping to Foreign-Flagged Vessels

China is opening its coastal shipping market to international capital for the first time after the government green-lit a trial to allow qualified foreign firms to transport foreign-trade cargo containers between certain domestic ports.

The State Council, China’s cabinet, announced (link in Chinese) on Thursday that it had approved a proposal to launch a three-year pilot program for the Lingang district of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.