Shanghai’s Waigaoqiao Port witnessed China’s first international ship supply of medical provisions via vessel on Oct 18, an achievement facilitated by newly introduced regulations.
A ceremony takes place in Shanghai on Oct 18 to celebrate the success of China’s first international ship supply of medical provisions via vessel. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
In this pioneering transaction, Runtong, a Shanghai-based shipping service company orchestrated the procurement of medical supplies from the Shanghai Nanhui District Pharmaceutical Company to cater to the vessel Sustainable Earth, managed by CPNE, a shipping service entity registered within Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone.
Adhering to protocols outlined by the International Maritime Organization and the World Health Organization, international vessels are mandated to carry a designated quantity of medical supplies to safeguard the well-being of crew members during extended voyages. Medical supplies, classified as specialized commodities, are subject to stringent regulations under national laws governing their production and distribution. Supplying medical supplies to vessels requires comprehensive oversight across various departments, necessitating coordination among local authorities, drug regulatory bodies, transportation agencies, maritime authorities, customs officials, and more.
The recently enacted Regulations on the Supply Guarantee of Medical Supplies and Medical Devices for International Seafaring Vessels in Pudong New Area, effective as of Oct 15, represents China’s first local regulatory measure regarding the provision of medical supplies to international cargo vessels. This marks a significant legislative stride in the shipping sector following Pudong receiving authorization to create laws specific to the district’s further reform and opening-up in 2021.
The ability to deliver ship supply services serves as a pivotal gauge of a port’s competitiveness. Before the introduction of these regulations, ship supply service companies in Shanghai encountered challenges in providing standardized medical supply services to international vessels docking at the city’s ports, resulting in a loss of market share to overseas ports.
Deputy Director Su Guoping of the Pudong New Area Market Supervision Bureau highlighted that, thanks to the regulations, medical supply enterprises are now integrated into the conventional ship supply framework, establishing a closed-loop supply process involving medical supply enterprises, ship supply service companies, and ship management entities to deliver seamless medical supply services to international vessels.
The new service is set to increase the allure of Shanghai ports, which are linked to over 600 major ports across more than 200 countries and regions globally and boasts a container throughput maintaining the top global ranking for 14 consecutive years. In recent years, approximately 40,000 international seafaring vessels have traversed Shanghai’s ports annually.
Source: Shanghai Observer
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