Posted on: 25 January 2016
The Grand News Release Hall of Government Residence of Shanghai Pudong Municipal Government witnessed a grand ceremony on 6th January 2016 – the signing of the Tripartite Cooperation Agreement between ICS, PQA of Ministry of Transport of the PR China and China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
The ceremony was followed with the launching of “International Shipping Professionalism Development Program” initiated by ICS.
For the first time, there will be a Shipping Training Program which is recognized by both the top shipping qualification authority in China – PQA and the worldwide recognised shipping qualification institute from the UK – ICS.
Mr Cai Jun, the Deputy Party Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Transport Commission, Ms Julie Lithgow, Director of ICS, Mr Zhu Chuan Sheng, the Vice Director of PQA and Mr Jian Da Nian, the Deputy Head of Pudong New Area delivered speeches to promote professionalism of the China shipping industry.
Mr Zhou Wei, the Chief Engineer of Ministry of Transport P R China, Mr Wang Ming Zhi, the Deputy Leader of Water Transport Bureau of Ministry of Transport P R China and Mr Shen Shao Jun, the Director of PQA together with other government officials and around 50 shipping experts attended the ceremony.
On 21st January 1920, the Privy Council of the UK awarded the Royal Charter to The Institute of Shipbrokers in the UK. Almost one century later, ICS received recognition and become strategic partner for the dynamic China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the largest international cargo trade authority in China. With the mutual understanding of individual being the core of the shipping industry, the three parties will work together to promote shipping professionalism and to make Shanghai a more attractive international shipping center for all shipping experts.
The cooperation reflect the Chinese government’s decision to enhance the reform in the shipping, by following the “One Belt, One Road” strategy. By now, there are more than 30 well selected FICS and MICS in China, including APL, ALCO, AMP, Bernhard Schulte, Ben Line, CCS, Clarkson, Dockwise Shipping, Ernst Russ, Gearbulk, Grieg, HSBC Shipping, ICBC Financial, Lloyd’s, Norden, Pacific Basin, Royal Wagenborg, VShips etc.
This group of professional people with highest discipline of “OUR WORD OUR BOND” will be the corner stone for the foundation of an international shipping center for Shanghai.
Source: The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
