The Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) has been supporting the development of shipping companies, with subsidies of up to 300,000 yuan ($43,920) offered to all those setting sail from WHDZ ports, according to local media reports.
According to WHDZ's Port Logistics Park, so far, eight companies have passed the application process and are expected to receive more than 1.12 million yuan in subsidies.
The Hannan Port Area of the WHDZ is located on the left bank of the upper reaches of the Wuhan section of the Yangtze River. There are three operating areas, namely Shamao, Dengnan, and Shuihong, which focus on agricultural products, automobiles and parts, and containers.
Last month, the port area passed its provincial inspection and acceptance and met the customs clearance requirements of a first-class port. It is expected to receive the national inspection and acceptance within the year, and become the port area with the longest coastline and the most berths in the expanded Wuhan Port.
Previously, export goods from enterprises in the area were transported by road to Yangluo Port for customs clearance, which was time-consuming and costly.
In order to encourage enterprises in the zone to clear customs nearby, a route subsidy policy has been introduced.
A maximum subsidy of 100,000 yuan per voyage is given to shipping companies that open point-to-point direct routes from the WHDZ Port to Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, without stopping at other ports for loading and unloading goods, and have one, or more than one, voyage per week.
Shipping companies that open direct shipping routes from the ports of the WHDZ to near-ocean countries (regions) such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the four ASEAN countries can receive a subsidy of up to 300,000 yuan per voyage.
Among the various subsidies, the maximum total annual subsidy for a single enterprise will not exceed 5 million yuan.
