EU shipowners expect further relaxation of Chinese restrictions

EU shipowners expect further relaxation of Chinese restrictions    European Union shipowners expect they will soon be able to open branches in China without limitations and handle their own ships in Chinese ports, under the EU/China bilateral maritime agreement.
   The European Community Shipowners’ Association, a shipowner group based in Brussels, said the two concessions “are expected to be confirmed during the second EU/China implementation meeting” scheduled for this fall in Hamburg.
   U.S. shipowners will also have these rights under the U.S./China maritime agreement, the European Community Shipowners’ Association said.
   “China continues to perform as the main generator of international trade,” the European association said. “The necessary port capacity in China continues to expand, including foreign investment and participation in terminal management.”
   The European Community Shipowners’ Association described EU-China maritime relations as “excellent.”