Today, the inaugural vessel of Mediterranean Shipping Company's (MSC) newly launched SAMBAR route (Mediterranean-Southeast Asia service), the "MSC Diego," docked smoothly at Qingdao Port's Qianwan Container Terminal. Laden with chemicals, electromechanical products, and fresh fruits, the ship will sail directly to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. This marks the official opening of Qingdao Port's direct Southeast Asia route, establishing a new logistics corridor linking "Northern China to Southeast Asia."

With this addition, Qingdao Port has launched 17 new international container routes this year, reinforcing its role as a powerful magnet in Northeast Asia's international shipping hub. As a key part of MSC's expansion in the Asian market, the SAMBAR route will deploy six vessels to provide a weekly closed-loop service. The route connects major domestic ports such as Dalian, Incheon, Tianjin New Port, Qingdao, and Dachan Bay, as well as key Southeast Asian hubs including Vietnam's Dong Nai, Thailand's Laem Chabang, and Singapore. This will significantly enhance trade efficiency between Northern China and Southeast Asia, offering import-export businesses faster and more streamlined shipping options.

The launch of the SAMBAR route aligns with Qingdao Port's commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative and its support for RCEP regional economic cooperation. Since the beginning of this year, Qingdao Port has actively contributed to the development of Qingdao as an international shipping center, expanding its international container routes in collaboration with global shipping giants. The port has introduced 17 new routes covering key markets such as Central and South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Currently, Qingdao Port operates nearly 240 international shipping routes—the highest among northern Chinese ports—connecting over 700 ports across more than 180 countries and regions. This forms a global shipping network that "links Japan and Korea in the east, Central Asia in the west, ASEAN in the south, and Russia and Mongolia in the north."

"The new route brings tangible benefits to hinterland enterprises and builds a 'maritime bridge' for trade cooperation between the port and Southeast Asia," said Xie Dongmei, Director of International Business at Qingdao Port Container Development Co. Leveraging smart port facilities and streamlined operations such as "direct loading upon arrival" and "direct pickup at berth," Qingdao Port will provide end-to-end premium services for the SAMBAR route. This will facilitate the efficient entry of "Made in China" products into Southeast Asian markets while opening fast-track channels for importing high-quality agricultural products and raw materials, ensuring smooth two-way trade flows.

Amid global economic uncertainties, Qingdao Port's diversified route expansion demonstrates the resilience of China's foreign trade. The port's strategic network will further strengthen logistics capabilities across Shandong Peninsula and cities along the Yellow River basin, driving steady growth in container throughput and accelerating the clustering of port-related industries. This injects strong momentum into stabilizing trade volume and optimizing structure.

Moving forward, Qingdao Port will continue refining its route network, deepening strategic partnerships with global shipping firms, and maximizing its role as a pivotal hub at the intersection of the Belt and Road and RCEP. In doing so, it aims to solidify its position as Northeast Asia's super hub within the "dual circulation" framework.