The first Pilot Free Trade Zone International Maritime Law Forum of China is held in the China (Zhejiang) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Zhoushan on Nov 27. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

A center for settling maritime and commercial disputes was launched on Nov 27 at the Pilot Free Trade Zone International Maritime Law Forum in the China (Zhejiang) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Zhoushan. 

Maritime and commercial disputes in the zone and its nearby areas can now be settled quickly and efficiently through mediation and arbitration at the center.

It will play an important role in promoting the trade and aviation development as well as the river-sea intermodal transport services in Zhejiang FTZ, thus enhancing its global competitiveness, according to industry experts at the forum. 

The forum, the first of its kind in China, was co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Zhejiang FTZ. 

More than 180 guests from industrial associations, universities, research institutes, arbitral organizations and law firms gathered together to discuss the hotspot issues about and the development trends of international maritime laws in China's pilot free trade zones. 

Nine experts in the fields of commercial and maritime arbitration introduced the maritime law systems in Hong Kong and Singapore, and shared their insights into the establishment of a maritime law system in China's pilot free trade zones at their keynote speeches.

The center for settling maritime and commercial disputes in the China (Zhejiang) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is launched at the forum. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The appointment ceremony for several commercial and maritime experts to work in the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhoushan City Committee is held at the forum. [Photo/zsxxg.com]