On April 26, Qingdao Port launched a new container shipping route to West Africa, marking the second African route opened by the port this year. This expansion further enhances the maritime logistics corridor between China and Africa, injecting fresh momentum into bilateral economic and trade cooperation. At the Qianwan Container Terminal of Shandong Ports' Qingdao Port, the CMA CGM Savannah vessel, loaded with Chinese-manufactured equipment such as auto parts, tires, and solar panels, completed all loading and unloading operations and is set to depart for key West African ports including Tema and Lagos. The route will deploy 13 vessels operating on a weekly schedule. As a major fixed port of call in Northern China, Qingdao Port will provide direct access to West Africa's primary commercial hubs, significantly reducing logistics time for Shandong and its inland hinterland to the West African region. To date, Qingdao Port has launched a total of 11 African container routes, covering key markets in East, West, and North Africa. These routes are efficiently connected with 32 international rail services, forming a sea-rail intermodal network that spans 23 Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, further smoothing the golden maritime channel for foreign trade. In the first quarter of 2026, Qingdao's total exports to Africa exceeded 43.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 26.3%. Exports of mechanical and electrical products, as well as high-tech products, grew by 37.4% and 25.7%, respectively.