The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration said recently it is planning to open an office in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone for greater institutional innovation and studies and for zone supervision and services.

Dai Haibo, of the zone’s head office, said the new office will do pioneering work in trade and transportation and the related economy and will provide a platform for greater communications and cooperation among the zone’s enterprises.

The preparatory work includes studies of policies on navigation to improve zone management. One major area in the zone for opening up is covered by an “Overall Plan On China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone” that the State Council approved. Its purpose is to establish an international ship registry system for the zone, an international shipping center to allocate shipping resources, and to promote zone development.