The vessel Xintaiping leaves the terminal of the Lyusi port area in the county-level city of Qidong, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, for Japan on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

The vessel Xintaiping left the terminal of the Lyusi port area in the county-level city of Qidong, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, for Japan on March 25, marking the launch of the port area's first direct international container trade route.

The Xintaiping was loaded with 7,990 metric tons of cargo.

With the fully automated high-speed operation of 5G unmanned container trucks, automated shore bridge and transporter cranes, the vessel was loaded within two hours and sailed directly to Osaka, Japan.

The Lyusi port area is regarded as a key part of the Tongzhou Bay demonstration area and is positioned to play a pivotal role in the national development strategy for the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Since its opening in December 2021, the general terminals of the Lyusi port area have been buzzing with activity.