An automated wharf in Yangshan Port, Pudong New Area [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c6f7b4cf3d]

The fifth Capital Link International Shipping Forum (China) was held online by the government of Pudong New Area, Shanghai from Sept 15 to 16 this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Even so, the event still boasted a number of noteworthy participants, including Martin Stopford, nonexecutive president of Clarkson Research, and Sun Yuqing, president of Dalian Maritime University.

"The online event breaks geographical restrictions and bridges communications between organizations from around the world," said an official from the district's shipping service office.

According to the official, Pudong has organized the forum for five years, and it has become a well-known event in the district with a certain degree of international clout.

More than 30 guests, including leaders of renowned shipping companies, banks, and financing and leasing companies as well as distinguished shipping experts, gave presentations on the topic "A New Era – Shanghai a Top Global Maritime Hub", in which they discussed the prospects of the global shipping industry amid the pandemic, new challenges for China's ship building market, and more.

Shanghai ranked third among the world's 10 largest shipping centers, according to the newly-released Xinhua-Baltic Exchange International Shipping Center Development Index, largely thanks to Pudong.

The total container throughput in Shanghai ports has topped the world for 10 years in a row, with 90 percent of the volume coming from Pudong. Cargo throughput of Pudong International Airport has ranked third in the world for 12 consecutive years, while passenger throughput ranked ninth for four years.

The district is home to a complete shipping industrial chain and value chain as well as a number of shipping companies, shipping insurance centers, international shipping organizations, ship management and service giants, and container businesses.

Officials said Pudong will next introduce more opening-up policies and systems with international competitiveness to serve the construction of the Belt and Road and further enhance Shanghai's status in international arena.