Shanghai Maritime Court recently released its annual report on trials involving China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) for 2015. It is the first report that gives details on the court's performances in FTZ-related maritime adjudication.

A total of four parts were emphasized in the reports, including an overview of cases concluded in 2015, trials of maritime cases involving the FTZ, efforts in safeguarding the construction of the FTZ, and issues reflected in FTZ-related shipping disputes.

In 2015, the court accepted upwards of 351 FTZ-related maritime cases, a year-on-year increase of 194.96 percent, with 328 cases closed by handing down a judgment.

To better deal with the cases, the court established the Tribunal of Shanghai FTZ in particular last April, which was the first of its kind in the national maritime court system.

Zhao Hong, president of Shanghai Maritime Court, said the FTZ carries the historic mission of exploring new approaches and accumulating new experiences in comprehensively deepening reform and opening up. She added that the court shoulders the responsibility of establishing a sound legal environment for the FTZ.

She vowed that the court would strengthen the reform and innovation of its judicial system and make fair judgments on maritime cases, in a bid to better serve the development of the FTZ as well as Shanghai's shipping industry.

Source: China daily.com