Hongkou District Party Secretary Li Qian met with Xie Qunwei, Director of the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (Shanghai MSA), along with other officials.
The two sides discussed further enhancing cooperation to support Shanghai's development as a global shipping center.
Shipping is a key pillar of Hongkou’s economy, and the district has long prioritized the development and aggregation of maritime functions.
Hongkou is home to China's most concentrated shipping service enterprises, with the most prominent shipping headquarters, well-established industry elements, and a complete maritime industry chain.
In September of last year, the Shanghai Seafarer Assessment Demonstration Center opened in Hongkou, the first national center for seafarer exams and assessments. The center plays a critical role in enhancing Shanghai’s and China’s maritime service capabilities.
Additionally, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Center was established in North Bund in March.
It is the first Chinese institution dedicated to managing carbon emissions for international shipping vessels, ensuring China’s compliance with global maritime energy efficiency standards.
Li Qian thanked the Shanghai MSA for its long-standing support and cooperation with Hongkou. He emphasized the district’s goal of attracting top domestic and international shipping institutions, including those focused on maritime research, trading services, and certifications.
He stressed the importance of advancing the green, low-carbon, and smart transformation of Hongkou’s shipping sector and enhancing Shanghai’s maritime services industry.
He called for stronger collaboration with universities such as Shanghai Maritime University and Shanghai Nanhu Vocational and Technical College to meet the market’s demand for high-level maritime talent.
Li also proposed fostering new models for high-end, customized services such as luxury cruises, inland river tours, and leisure yachts to inject new vitality into the region’s economy.
Xie Qunwei expressed his gratitude for Hongkou’s support and highlighted the district's crucial role as a hub for shipping services.
He outlined plans to maximize the use of existing shorelines, develop yacht marinas, and create platforms for high-end activities, including river cruises and business meetings, to enhance North Bund’s appeal.
The Shanghai MSA is committed to leveraging functional institutions like the Seafarer Assessment Center and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Center to attract top maritime talent and companies to Hongkou, thus contributing to the district's development as a vital part of Shanghai’s international shipping center.