Shanghai's Yangshan Port has entered a new era of prosperity, driven by the implementation of a renewed coastal carriage policy for foreign shipping lines. The policy, which is a seamless continuation of its predecessor, grants eligible non-Five-Starred Red Flag international voyage ships the permission to engage in coastal carriage of foreign trade containers between Yangshan Port and three northern ports — Dalian, Tianjin, and Qingdao — with Yangshan serving as the international transit hub for the next three years.

The new policy not only diversifies route options for enterprises involved in imports and exports but also enhances the efficiency of "water-to-water" transshipment for cargo headed to the northern ports. Imports to Dalian, Tianjin, and Qingdao can now benefit from smoother logistics through Shanghai.

Moreover, Yangshan Port's transshipment and consolidation business has kicked off the year on a high note. Within the special comprehensive bonded zone, goods from international transit, domestic exports, and bonded warehouses have been combined and consolidated. Last year, Yangshan Port surpassed 5 million TEUs in transshipment and consolidation volumes.

Approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, the interim adjustments to regulations on international marine transport and domestic waterway transport at Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone came into effect from Jan 1, 2025, and will remain in place until Dec 31, 2027. These adjustments facilitate the coastal shipping pilot program, contributing to the upgrading of Shanghai Port's hub status.