The Yangtze River Administration under the Ministry of Transport will start a campaign from September to select the best vessel models on the Yangtze, according to sources who attended the latest meeting of the Yangtze Vessel Standardisation Programme, which ended last week.

The campaign will focus on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze only, covering vessels for bulk and break bulk, containers, liquid cargo and those capable of sailing both on the Yangtze and the near sea. The administration will work with local governments to mobilise shipping companies to submit applications and supporting material.

The administration has already asked the China Classification Society to draw up a set of technical criteria and operational guidelines. The administration will ask a panel of experts to evaluate all applications and make recommendations. Once the best models are selected and approved by the ministry, they will be officially recommended to ship owners for future new buildings.

Through the process, government officials hope to improve safety, efficiency and eco-friendliness of all vessels plying the Yangtze and other inland rivers.