China's Ministry of Transport said it will relax its rules and allow container shipping companies that ply the Taiwan Strait to carry transshipment cargo, or goods originating from other economies.
Taiwanese and Chinese container shipping companies can also carry empty containers that belong to or are rented by companies that don't have approval to operate direct cross-strait shipping links, China's Ministry of Transport said in a statement on its Web site Monday, without specifying when the new rules will take effect.
Unlike China, Taiwan doesn't have any restrictions on transshipment cargo or empty containers, said Yin Chen-Pong, director of the department of navigation and aviation under Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation.
Taiwan and China established direct cross-strait shipping links in December 2008, but only Taiwanese and Chinese ships registered in Taiwan, China, or Hong Kong are allowed to ply the cross-strait route, and cargo was limited to goods originating from Taiwan or China.
Prior to December 2008, ships owned by Taiwanese and Chinese companies and registered outside of Taiwan or China could carry cargo across the strait if they engaged in offshore shipping or made stops in a third territory en route.
Companies must obtain approval from China's transport ministry before carrying transshipment cargo across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said. Shipping companies must also seek approval from the ministry if they want to carry containers for firms that lack the requirements to engage in cross-strait direct shipping, the ministry said in the statement.
Taiwanese and Chinese container shipping companies can also carry empty containers that belong to or are rented by companies that don't have approval to operate direct cross-strait shipping links, China's Ministry of Transport said in a statement on its Web site Monday, without specifying when the new rules will take effect.
Unlike China, Taiwan doesn't have any restrictions on transshipment cargo or empty containers, said Yin Chen-Pong, director of the department of navigation and aviation under Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation.
Taiwan and China established direct cross-strait shipping links in December 2008, but only Taiwanese and Chinese ships registered in Taiwan, China, or Hong Kong are allowed to ply the cross-strait route, and cargo was limited to goods originating from Taiwan or China.
Prior to December 2008, ships owned by Taiwanese and Chinese companies and registered outside of Taiwan or China could carry cargo across the strait if they engaged in offshore shipping or made stops in a third territory en route.
Companies must obtain approval from China's transport ministry before carrying transshipment cargo across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said. Shipping companies must also seek approval from the ministry if they want to carry containers for firms that lack the requirements to engage in cross-strait direct shipping, the ministry said in the statement.