Authorities in the Zhoushan area of the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone in East China's Zhejiang province have since this year been making efforts to bolster its sea-river shipping industry. 

For example, authorities have engaged with logistics and supply-chain enterprises, including terminals, ship owners and cargo owners, to understand their business demands. 

A community comprising terminals, shipping companies and supply chain enterprises has been established to allow authorities to clarify the rights and obligations of each party and conduct unified distribution and dispatch to improve their competitiveness and ability to withstand risks. 

Authorities have been leveraging the sea-river coordinated transport app to improve data services, which includes 24-hour monitoring of ship distribution, shipping environment and terminal handling processes that can help companies optimize logistics resources allocation, reduce cost and improve profits, according to the authorities. 

The Zhoushan government has set aside 110,000 yuan ($16,308) in funds to provide training to  crew who will work on sea-river shipping vessels. 

Five sea-river shipping routes have been opened in the city, and 45,000 metric tons of imported soybeans were first transported by four sea-river shipping vessels from Zhoushan to Wuhan in South China's Hubei province on Aug 10.