Qingdao Port launches Southeast Africa direct express service

The 72,000-metric-ton multi-purpose vessel GREEN NAGOYA is about to embark on a journey to Africa from Dagang Terminal in Qingdao Port of Shandong Port Group, located in Qingdao West Coast New Area, with an anticipated arrival in 20 days. 

The vessel GREEN NAGOYA operates at the Dagang Terminal in Qingdao Port. [Photo/qwmedia]

This marks the official inauguration of COSCO Special Shipping's Southeast Africa direct express weekly service. Qingdao Port is the only hub port in northern China to be involved in COSCO Special Shipping's general cargo liner operations.

This maritime route establishes a vital link between Asia and the regions of East Africa and South Africa, commencing at ports like Qingdao and Zhangjiagang and culminating at major African ports such as Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, and Durban. It offers streamlined point-to-point express services for the export of industrial goods to Africa from Qingdao and beyond.

The newly established route streamlines the process by consolidating full cargo loads at a single port for loading, thereby reducing the fastest direct sailing time from China to major Southeast African ports to a mere 20 days. Goods can now be delivered to customers in approximately 30 days, at least 10 days faster than before, enhancing efficiency by over 30 percent and notably curtailing international trade transit times.

With the weekly service now operational, a steady flow of steel, equipment, vehicles, high-end manufacturing products, and assorted materials will be dispatched from Qingdao Port. With each vessel capable of carrying 30,000 cubic meters of cargo, the four monthly voyages will transport a total of 120,000 cubic meters of goods, amounting to nearly 1.5 million cubic meters annually.