Core Viewpoint - The shipping finance and insurance sectors are crucial for enhancing the capabilities of the Shanghai International Shipping Center, providing high-quality services for shipping safety, trade facilitation, and green transformation, but there are significant gaps in the supporting mechanisms for financial empowerment in the shipping industry [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Support and Policy Gaps - The current financial and tax support policies for the shipping industry primarily focus on short-term incentives, lacking targeted designs for the long-term, high-risk characteristics of the industry [3]. - Cross-border financial policies are inadequate, with 85% of international shipping settlements conducted in USD, leading to insufficient convenience for Chinese enterprises in cross-border settlements and significant exchange rate risks [3]. - A proposal has been made to establish a national shipping industry investment fund using a mother-child fund structure to attract social capital for ship renewal, green technology, and smart shipping [3]. Group 2: Decarbonization and Financial Demand - There is a strong financial demand for decarbonization in the shipping industry, necessitating investments in new fuel ships to meet decarbonization targets, which will create substantial financing needs due to fleet renewal plans [3]. - Future decarbonization paths in shipping will focus on the application of zero-carbon fuels, innovations in energy efficiency technologies, and CO2 capture on ships, requiring collaboration and incentives from financial institutions [3]. Group 3: Standards and Certification Issues - The current standard system for green shipping is inadequate, lacking unified certification standards and operational evaluation systems, which hinders financial institutions from making informed investment decisions [4]. - The absence of recognized technical standards and assessment methods complicates financial institutions' ability to evaluate the maturity of technology routes, the reliability of emission reduction efficiency, and the stability of asset residual values [4]. - There is a call to accelerate the establishment of a green shipping standard certification system that aligns with international standards while being suitable for national conditions [4].

Core Viewpoint - The global shipping industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by changes in international trade dynamics and the need for enhanced resilience, green transition, and financial support for sustainable development [1][2][3]. Shipping Market Overview - The global shipping market is showing resilience, with a projected growth of 2.6% in maritime trade to 1.266 billion tons in 2024, despite existing risks from tariffs and policy uncertainties [1][2]. - Major ports like Shanghai, Singapore, and Ningbo-Zhoushan are leading in container throughput growth, with increases of 4.8%, 5.4%, and 11.3% respectively [2]. Regional Cooperation - Regional collaboration is becoming a key driver for the shipping industry's development, providing new avenues to mitigate external risks [2]. - China is recognized as the largest market for global maritime trade, with ongoing efforts to maintain strong connections with major ports [2]. China's Trade Resilience - China's goods trade saw a year-on-year increase of 2.5% in the first five months of the year, with notable growth in trade with ASEAN countries [3]. - The "Belt and Road" initiative is enhancing China's international supply chain resilience, exemplified by the efficient logistics network established through Tianjin Port [4]. Green Transition - The shipping industry is under pressure to transition to greener practices, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 for large ocean-going vessels [6][7]. - Various countries are implementing measures to promote green shipping, including clean energy usage and technological upgrades [6][7]. Financial Support for Shipping - The global shipping finance sector is expanding, with a shipping credit financing index score of 62 in 2023, indicating a stable upward trend [9]. - In Tianjin, the shipping finance index rose from 100 to 146.07 from 2020 to 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 13.46% [10]. Challenges in Green Transition - The shipping industry's green transition faces challenges such as high costs of green fuels and inadequate infrastructure [8]. - Experts emphasize the need for innovative risk-sharing mechanisms and support in carbon trading to facilitate the industry's transition [11].