On the afternoon of December 15, the 10th Internal Seminar of Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI) was held in the conference room. Vice President Ma Shuo of the United Nations World Maritime University was invited to deliver a keynote speech entitled “New Concept on Distribution at Point of Departure”. At the internal seminar, President Ma clearly explained the new concept on port of departure, current international practice, and the feasibility to implement the concept in Shanghai. He also made active discussion with all participants.

According to President Ma, despite a few practices on port of departure, no definition has yet been made at the academic level nor has this concept been discussed; it is a brand new idea. Regarding the distribution at port of departure, Hong Kong stands at the global forefront; Singapore government is also actively working on its application.

Through sharing and analyzing Hong Kong’s progress and reasons for establishing distribution centers at port of departure, President Ma put forward six suggestions for Shanghai to stand up to challenges in setting up the same. Participants expressed full recognition to the seminar, and suggested more internal communication activities in the future for the sake of mutual development.