China, ISA to Establish Deep Ocean Center
The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Mr. Michael W. Lodge signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the first ever joint training and research center with Mr. Wang Hong, Administrator of State Oceanic Administration of China.Under the MoU, ISA and China will work together to promote knowledge of the deep ocean and its environment, and enable developing countries to benefit from the mineral resources of the international seabed area, which are recognized as the common heritage of mankind.The joint training and research center will be affiliated to the National Deep Sea Center of China and hosted by the Centre in Qingdao.In his remarks at the official signing ceremony held in Beijing, Mr.
China's Maritime Economy Approaches $1 Trillion
Total maritime output or maritime economy of China is expected to generate nearly 6.5 trillion yuan (988.79 billion U.S. dollar) in 2015, about 7 percent more than 2014, reports Xinhua. State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said that the total production value last year is expected to account for 9.6 percent of the total gross domestic product (GDP). The maritime economy has become an important boost to the national economy, with its total production value growing by an average 8.1 percent annually from 2011 to 2015. The industry employed more than 35 million people and maritime science and technology contributed to 60 percent of the maritime economy, the SOA figures show.
Shanghai's New Cruise Terminal Plans FTZ Link-up
Shangai's Baoshan District Committee aims to see the Wusongkou Interational Cruise Terminal become the flagship cruise terminal in China and even in Asia, by proactively connecting to the new Shanghai Free Trade Zone. Ultimately, the developers of the Wusongkou Interational Cruise Terminal, Baoshan District, say they intend to expand the definition of what is meant by 'cruise industry', by making the terminal the pioneer of the cruise industry in China. The Wusongkou Interational Cruise Terminal was approved for trial operation on March 1, 2012.
Shanghai Receives Asia's Largest Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean International's cruise ship 'Voyager of the Seas' docked at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal for the first time to launch its summer cruise itineraries in China. “China’s cruise market is young and vibrant. Royal Caribbean International is optimistic about the development of the cruise industry here and will continue the investment in this market,” said Lisa Bauer, RCI’s senior vice-president of global sales and marketing. Bauer said that RCI’s business has been growing significantly since it entered the Chinese market in 2008. The company plans to introduce the Mariner of the Seas – a sister ship of the Voyager of the Seas – to Shanghai next year to meet surging demand. The Voyager of the Seas will mainly make trips to Japan and South Korea.
