An international forum on the development of the ship management industry was held in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on Nov 29.

The forum was the first of its kind to be held in Zhoushan and the third to be held by the International Ship Management Association since the association was established.

More than 300 representatives of enterprises, institutions and associations in China's ship management industry attended the forum and held discussions on the industry's development.

Representatives from Zhoushan introduced the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone to attendees.

Several speeches were given by prominent figures in the industry.

Xu Guoyi, a high-ranking official of the Shanghai composite port management committee, praised Zhoushan's strategic location, abundant coastal resources, convenient transportation system and profitable trade environment and hopes to work with the city to boost the shipping industry in Shanghai.

Zhou Hongmei, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development & Promotion Organization, discussed recent developments that have taken place within the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development & Promotion Organization.

Tu Weifeng, a high-ranking official of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, discussed the optimization of transportation infrastructure in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Zhao Jingsong, a director at the Shenzhen Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, tabled a series of proposals on how to develop marine industries in the Great Bay Area, build Shanghai into a global center for the industries, and drive the development of Zhoushan.