China mulls opening of coastal trade to foreign carriers
Beijing says it is studying new policies that will allow foreign ocean-going vessels to carry export and import containers on coastal routes centered on Shanghai’s Yangshan deep-sea port. Easing the country’s cabotage laws could benefit foreign carriers. It also potentially poses a threat to nearby transhipment hubs, such as Busan and Hong Kong
The idea was spelt out in policy planning documents released by the central government this week relating to the expansion of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone