The plan includes cargo consolidation, establishing logistics parks and trans-shipment hubs and streamlining Customs procedures.

"This blueprint is the first complete bailout to support the logistic industry in the past three decades," said vice-secretary general China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing He Dengcai.

One goal is to “foster a number of globally-competitive logistic corporate groups by 2011", and to make specialised logistics providers more efficient.

"Logistics enterprises also will be encouraged to engage in asset restructuring through shareholding, controlling shares, mergers, unions, joint ventures and/or cooperative operations," the blueprint says.