CNR Shanghai, July 11 (Reporter Du Ximeng and Wu Shanyang) According to the China Voice of China Central Radio and Television's "News Evening Rush" report, today (11th) is the 16th China Navigation Day, "2020 China "Navigation Day Forum" was held in Shanghai in the morning. In the face of the international economic and trade situation under the background of the epidemic, the theme of this year's Navigation Day focuses on "Working Together to Maintain International Logistics Flow".

Shipping is an important basic, leading and service industry for the national economy. Under the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, what role does shipping play in connecting the world economy and stabilizing the international logistics supply chain? In the future, how does my country plan to become a transportation powerhouse?

According to the 2020 China Navigation Day announcement, my country's shipping routes and service networks currently cover major countries and regions in the world, and more than 90% of international trade goods are completed by sea. Under the "Belt and Road" initiative, economic, technological and cultural exchanges and cooperation between my country and the countries and regions along the route have become increasingly close, and maritime-related dialogue and cooperation have developed in an orderly manner.

Under the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the theme of this year's sailing day - "hand in hand to maintain international logistics flow" is even more crucial. The data shows that the shipping industry is one of the industries most affected by the epidemic. In the first half of this year, the global shipping business volume declined significantly year-on-year, and the average value of the Baltic dry bulk freight index dropped sharply by 23% year-on-year. In order to promote the resumption of production and production of port and shipping enterprises, the Ministry of Transport and other relevant departments have actively taken measures. In mid-April, all port and freight enterprises across the country have resumed work, and the resumption rate of 291 key water transportation projects has reached 99%. Deputy Minister of Transport Liu Xiaoming revealed that in June, my country's coal, oil, mines, containers and other major cargo port throughputs have reached the level of the same period last year, and water transportation production has entered a normal development track.

Liu Xiaoming: In response to the impact of the epidemic, we have established a mechanism to maintain a smooth and stable international logistics supply chain, implemented phased waivers of toll road tolls, port construction fees for import and export goods, and civil aviation development funds, and reduced government-priced port operating service charges. In the first half of the year, the burden on enterprises was reduced by about 170 billion yuan. Guide large-scale port and shipping enterprises to actively reduce or exempt about 1 billion yuan of independent pricing charges for small and medium-sized enterprises, and promote upstream and downstream enterprises to gather together to warm up. Guide port enterprises in Tianjin and Shanghai to increase the storage capacity of refrigerated containers, and help shippers solve the problem of cargo stranded in port. Ensure the orderly operation of international ships. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, more than 50,000 Chinese crew members have changed crews on international voyages. In the first half of the year, the port cargo throughput was basically the same as that of the same period last year. It maintained a growth momentum in the past three months, and the international transportation services of major countries or regions in the world remained stable, which effectively guaranteed the resumption of production and production of enterprises and the restoration of economic and social order.

The express shipping route has also become one of the main channels to ensure the smooth delivery of international mail under the influence of the epidemic. Yi Jiyong, deputy director of the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, said:

Yi Jiyong: In response to the problem of mail backlog caused by the significant reduction of civil aviation passenger flights, we will coordinate with COSCO SHIPPING and other shipping companies to open up multiple shipping routes by investing in express shipping. From January to June, a total of 13,292 tons of international mails have been shipped to the United States, Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries by sea, and new international mail shipping channels have been added.

For shipping and logistics companies, how to deal with the challenges of reduced demand, shrinking supply and rising costs in the face of the epidemic? Xu Lirong, Chairman of COSCO Shipping Group, gave the following answer:

Xu Lirong: We need to transform the rapid flow of online information flow and capital flow, and the analysis and decision-making of artificial intelligence and big data on logistics into more optimized transportation routes. By integrating various logistics resources such as routes, terminals, stations, warehouses and other diversified transportation modes, including shipping, inland rivers, railways, highways and even air transportation, logistics services are more flexible, more reliable, and more capable of resisting sudden changes. The adverse impact of the incident on the supply chain. Among the major markets this year, the drop in demand for routes within Asia was the smallest at 4.7%. That's half of the 9.4% drop in the global market as a whole. China's good development prospects are still an important support for the market.

Liu Xiaoming said that my country will accelerate the construction of a safe, convenient, efficient, green and economical modern shipping service system in the future by insisting on working hand in hand and open cooperation:

Liu Xiaoming: Accelerate the construction of a high-quality comprehensive transportation system, strengthen the guarantee of international shipping services, improve the global shipping service network, strengthen strategic alliances between shipping companies, and coordinate and cooperate with upstream and downstream industrial chains to achieve higher quality, efficiency, and lower costs. We will take the road of sustainable development in the direction of more openness and sharing, and take the road of sustainable development; actively promote the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port, build Shanghai International Shipping Center from a new starting point, and form a new pattern of higher-level shipping opening to the outside world.