SHANGHAI Pudong International Shipping Service Center launched operations yesterday as the city works on its plan to develop into a global shipping hub.

The center is on Pudong Avenue, which will be developed into a maritime boulevard. It will provide arbitration, consultation and other services to the 1,000 shipping institutes and firms with offices on the street.

Many shipping related firms in Pudong had to go to Puxi for such services in the past, though Pudong plays a key role in the city’s shipping development, officials said.

The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, Shanghai Arbitration Court of International Shipping, Shanghai Shipping Freight Exchange Co Ltd have already opened branch offices in the building.

The center will help firms improve work efficiency while employees at these companies will be able to get information about tax rebates and other services.

Pudong already has more than 5,000 shipping service firms. – Shanghai Daily