On September 15, 2011, Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI) was invited to the News briefing of Shanghai Municipal Government. Director Huang Rong of Shanghai Urban Construction and Communications Commission introduced the construction progress of Shanghai International Shipping Center and future plans. According to him, the effective implementation of national policies for the construction of Shanghai International Shipping Center will promote further breakthroughs in the pilot project of comprehensive experimental zone.
    Since the issuance of Document No. 19 of the State Council, the construction of “shipping and financial centers” in Shanghai has been attached great importance by national ministries. An inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, led by National Development and Reform Commission and participated by 20 ministries, has been set up to promote the construction of two centers in Shanghai. The establishment of the coordination mechanism has opened a sound communication channel between Shanghai and the Central Government, and has effectively gathered strengths from all sides. Under the strong guidance and assistance of relevant central departments and central authorities’ branches in Shanghai, and with great attentions from Shanghai Municipal Committee and Government, the municipal and district governments and shipping service enterprises have worked in close collaboration and developed through innovation, realizing overall promotion and individual breakthroughs in the construction of Shanghai International Shipping Center. Favorable conditions for the establishment of “Four Centers” have been created through the initial formation of modern shipping collection, distribution and transport system, the primary establishment of modern shipping service system, and the overall implementation of policies for international shipping comprehensive experimental zone.
    Currently, policies put forward in Document No. 19 of the State Council for promoting the construction of Shanghai International Shipping Center have been basically put into operation, except for tax rebate at the port of departure. The recent emphasis is to strive for further breakthroughs in pilot policies for the comprehensive experimental zone.
    For this purpose, Shanghai will focus on eight aspects in the immediate future.
1. To explore innovations for the registration system of Chinese-funded international sailing ships, promoting related service industries through ship clusters;
2. To accelerate the pilot implementation of tax rebate at the port of departure, encouraging the development of transit business at Yangshan Port;
3. To vigorously promote the application of direct ship models sailing in rivers and seas, increasing the efficiency in collection, distribution and transport;
4. To promote the establishment of special funds for the development of shipping center, boosting the development of shipping-related industries;
5. To expand shipping financing methods, striving for a significant growth in financing and leasing business.
6. To promote the development of freight derivatives market, enhancing our voice in international market;
7. To study policies for facilitating the entry and exit of cruises, increasing the attractiveness of cruise homeports;
8. To establish a statistical indicator system, strengthening the assessment of shipping center construction.