A new container route jointly launched by Shandong Port Group (SPG) and the Abu Dhabi Port Group in the United Arab Emirate was put into service on Nov 11, which is expected to further deepen cooperation and exchanges between Shandong and countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

A new container route jointly launched by SPG and the Abu Dhabi Port Group in the United Arab Emirate is put into service on Nov 11. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

The new route, linking countries and regions in the Middle East and the Far East, was a move for SPG to improve its overseas industrial service chain, and promote the high-quality development of BRI.

Since its establishment in 2019, SPG has made great efforts to boost industrial and supply chain connectivity, and leveraged its advantages to ensure the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains.

Over the past three years, it has opened more than 100 shipping routes, bringing the total number to 328, and ranked first among ports in northern China. The group has built 31 inland ports and developed 81 express railways, and has the most sea-rail combined transport routes in China.

Currently, a complete sea-rail combined transport logistics channel from Shandong to Central Asia, Europe and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has basically taken shape, injecting stronger momentum for the group's high-quality development.

According to the International Shipping Hubs Competitiveness Index: North-East Asia Report 2021 released by Xinhua News Agency, SPG ranked first in Northeast Asia.  

The new container route is operated by Safeen Feeder, a wholly-owned Abu Dhabi Port Group shipping company, and is expected to offer a new international logistics channel for foreign trade enterprises in Shandong and across the country.