This enables carriers such as Maersk and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) to plan first voyages by the end of this month, say analysts.

Meanwhile, the administrative committee of Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone said at a news conference that China will introduce a container freight forward rate contract trading platform reports {非本站网址}

Despite a complex international situation and given the impact of Covid, the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Shanghai has encouraged enterprises to resume production, and the business in the bonded zone has operated smoothly in the first quarter, the committee said.

"The new service (for shipping of foreign trade containers between ports within China) is expected to help cut the logistics costs for both exporters and importers, improve the utilisation rates of containerships, and relieve the tightness of shipping capacity to a certain extent," said Zhou Zhicheng, a researcher at the Beijing-based China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

Maersk spokesman Jens Eskelund this represents a tangible step for foreign carriers in China toward achieving market access on reciprocal terms.

"International relay will allow us to improve services, giving our customers more flexibility and options for their shipments. We are preparing the first shipment in Yangshan terminal in Shanghai, together with the Lin-gang Special Area Administration and other relevant stakeholders," Mr Eskelund said.

Hong Kong-based Asia Shipping Certification Services Co has been officially approved to carry out statutory ship inspection work in the Lin-gang Special Area as the first inspection agency that is not incorporated in the Chinese mainland.

In March and April, the daily average container throughput in Yangshan terminal reached 66,000 and 59,000 TEU, each accounting for 90 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively, of the average level seen in the first quarter.