China Assures US on Freight Rate Safety

Chinese officials assured a U.S. delegation the government took "concrete measures" to ensure the confidentiality of rate data filed with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, according to minutes of a bilateral meeting in Dalien on Oct. 20.

U.S. shippers have worried that Chinese companies could gain an unfair advantage from data leaked by the shipping exchange. Chinese officials said the information is secure and not divulged outside of relevant and competent authorities, according to the minutes.

By The Numbers: U.S.Trade with Mainland China.

The meeting, the fifth consultation between the U.S. and China since the two countries signed a maritime agreement in December 2003, covered topics ranging from seafarer visas to U.S. cargo security regulations and air quality standards. Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from the Federal Maritime Commission, and the State Department.

Chinese officials said U.S. regulations requiring advance cargo manifest data cause difficulties for Chinese tramp services and expressed a hope the U.S. could adopt measures to avoid the difficulties. U.S. officials apparently did not agree to do so.

The minutes said the U.S. put the rules in force after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

U.S. and Chinese officials expressed support for measures to improve exhaust emissions from ships, and Chinese delegates said California air quality rules were not in line with international agreements. The U.S. said the state's rules will be superseded when a federal law requiring coastal emissions zones goes into effect in 2015.

The two countries also discussed cooperation on anti-piracy actions and an exchange with the U.S. Coast Guard focusing on port control, seafarer management and environmental protection.

-- Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.