SHANGHAI yesterday signed a framework agreement with China's third-largest shipping group to help build the city into a global shipping center by 2020.

The pact with state-owned Sinotrans CSC Group will see the two parties deepen cooperation in 14 areas including shipping, offshore integrated logistics services, port, as well as making and repairing of ships.

"The group will leverage advantages in logistics, shipping, research and development, communication and navigation and make Shanghai our strategic hub in global development," said Zhu Ning, vice president?of Sinotrans.

Sinotrans is one of the state-owned enterprises operating under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.