US citizen departing Tokyo on a Cargo Ship Voyage. 3 days docked in Ningbo n 1 in Shanghai.

No. To qualify when travelling by sea, you have to enter China via Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Port Cruise Terminal. Entering from anywhere else requires a C (Crew) visa.

Thanks for the clarity. Then, do you know, would it be cheaper to get a 144 day visa the Shanghai. And a separate C (Crew) type for Ningbo? Is that even possible? Thanks for any details!

The 144-hour free transit is not a visa and one can only get it at immigration. To use the free transit you must enter and depart from either of these two cruise terminals in Shanghai or by air (meaning that you cannot enter or depart from Ningbo). In your case you'll be arriving in Ningbo so a C type is required prior to arrival. Once you have entered China with the C type you can depart from Shanghai (or any open port) without restrictions.

Thanks John Doe.