THE world's biggest container port, Shanghai, posted an 82.4 per cent year on year increase in April throughput to 3.08 million TEU, according to the Ministry of Transport (MOT), reported Beijing state media.

"Currently, logistics in Shanghai and other key areas are gradually improving, with initial results in rectifying excessive prevention and control problems," said MOT official Shu Chi, citing improvements in the country's transport capacity.

To ensure efficient operation of the transportation network's backbone, a unified national pass for vehicles transporting vital supplies was adopted by 27 Chinese provinces, reported China Global Television Network (CGTN).

China has introduced a raft of measures including issuing sufficient unified national traffic permits and adopting a "white list" approach to support work resumption at key domestic and foreign firms, it said.

The authorities also announced that eligible express delivery income have been exempted from value-added tax since May 1 to the end of the year. It is likely to reduce the burden for related enterprises by CNY1 billion (US$148.96 million).

Source Shipping Gazette