On 7 January 2015, Rizhao Border Authority and Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd entered into a Memorandum of Port Self-Management, with the objective of maintaining the efficiency of immigration clearance and facilitate the implementation of The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China. The memorandum addresses vessels, routes and cargo as designated by the company and will seek to expediate the clearance of wood chip vessels transporting imported wood chips.

The execution of the memorandum follows the principle of “led by the Border Authority, self-managed by the vessel and co-administered by the company”, and provides benefits such as designated berths for wood chip vessels, designated shipping routes, designated cargo types, enclosed embankment, electronic control and iris-recognition system access control. It regulates the management of international vessels in the port, facilitates the compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) and the relevant laws and regulations, and enables the fast track immigration clearance and security for the vessels berthing in Rizhao port, thereby ensuring the efficiency of the immigration operations and security in the port.

To maintain the fast track immigration clearance of the wood chip vessels, Asia Symbol and Rizhao Border Authority have established a joint working group that will be responsible for the daily operations. Both parties shall perform their duties in good faith, and strengthen the cooperation and coordination, so as to maintain the efficiency of immigration clearance for international vessels berthing at the port.

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