The Ningbo Maritime Court (Yiwu) Circuit Court hears a maritime case upon its launch in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province on April 9. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

The Ningbo Maritime Court (Yiwu) Circuit Court was launched in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province on April 9 to hear cases related to maritime law.

The court heard a maritime case upon its launch, in which a Yiwu businessman sued a Pakistani trader for failing to fulfill customs clearance as promised.

Maritime cases in and around Yiwu have been increasing in recent years due to growing international trade, with more than 430 cases being heard over the past five years. Previously, these cases could only be settled in the Ningbo Maritime Court nearly 200 kilometers away.

Yiwu Port plays an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative. It receives more than 500,000 foreign purchasers every year and houses over 13,000 resident foreign traders. The city's goods are exported to over 210 countries and regions around the world.

Ningbo Maritime Court has also set up circuit courts on the Shengsi Islands and Qushan Island in Zhoushan, an island city in the province. The judge will visit these circuit courts regularly to hear cases.