In the first month of the new year, Qingdao Port in Shandong Province has consecutively launched four new shipping routes, bringing its total number of foreign trade routes to nearly 240, solidifying its leading position among northern ports. This marks a strong start for Qingdao’s international shipping center development in the initial year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.
During January, Qingdao Port introduced four new container routes, including MSC's Australia-New Zealand route, COSCO SHIPPING's Red Sea and Southeast Asia routes, and Cheng Lie Navigation's Southeast Asia route. These additions are aimed at ensuring the stability and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains.
As a result, Qingdao Port now operates close to 240 foreign trade routes, connecting with over 700 ports across more than 180 countries and regions worldwide. This expansion reinforces its status as the northern port with the highest number and density of routes, further enhancing the influence and reach of its Northeast Asia international shipping hub.
At the Qianwan Port Area of Qingdao Port, the constant movement of large vessels reflects the vitality of economic and trade development. Route layout is a key driver in building a shipping center, positioning the port strategically within the global logistics network and attracting related industries such as shipping logistics, ship agency, and cargo insurance.
The launch of these four new routes demonstrates Qingdao Port’s proactive efforts to align with national development strategies, collaborate with global shipping giants, and adapt to new trends in foreign trade. These routes will help alleviate booking pressures during peak shipping seasons, optimize the allocation of foreign trade logistics resources, and support cost reduction and efficiency improvements for foreign trade enterprises. In turn, this will attract related industries to cluster around the port’s hinterland.
Among them, the Australia-New Zealand route establishes direct connections between northern China and key hub ports such as Sydney and Brisbane, significantly shortening transit times compared to traditional transshipment models. This facilitates the export of competitive industries like machinery, electronics, and chemicals, while also handling the import and distribution of Australian goods, serving as a new link in deepening practical economic and trade cooperation between China and Australia.
The Red Sea route connects Qingdao Port with key gateways in the Middle East and Africa, such as Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia and Sokhna Port in Egypt, providing a stable channel for bulk commodities like energy and construction materials. It also offers efficient support for the export of emerging Chinese industries, including new energy vehicles and photovoltaic products.
The two Southeast Asia routes enhance the network between Qingdao Port and major ASEAN ports like Laem Chabang in Thailand, leveraging the benefits of regional trade agreements. They create a "maritime expressway" for trade in electronics and specialty agricultural products, promoting deeper integration and coordinated upgrading of regional industrial and supply chains.
The simultaneous selection of Qingdao Port for these four important routes reflects the high recognition of its comprehensive capabilities by international shipping giants. As China’s second-largest foreign trade port, the largest port in northern China, and the optimal outlet for the Yellow River basin, Qingdao Port leverages a network of 56 inland dry ports and 86 sea-rail intermodal train services, forming a "golden channel" that extends services to provinces and regions along the Yellow River. Its sea-rail intermodal container volume has led the nation for 11 consecutive years, enabling inland cargo to reach the port directly and ensuring a steady flow of goods for route operations.
Efficiency and service are also core strengths of Qingdao Port. It operates a world-leading fully automated container terminal, which has broken world records for loading and unloading efficiency 13 times. The port offers customized "one enterprise, one policy" solutions and promotes convenient models such as "direct shipside pickup" and "arrival direct loading." Its vessel direct berthing rate ranks among the top of major global ports, ensuring smooth vessel turnover and fast cargo movement through an efficient operational system.
Additionally, the continuously optimized port business environment represents a key "soft strength." Qingdao Port works closely with Qingdao Customs to seamlessly integrate smart supervision into port operations, creating efficient export channels for foreign trade enterprises. It has received the highest rating for the cross-border trade business environment in container goods at seaports for five consecutive years, making it a core competitive advantage in attracting global shipping companies to establish routes.
At this critical juncture at the start of the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Qingdao Port will continue to optimize its global route network, enhance service efficiency, and upgrade its hub capabilities. In serving national strategies and empowering high-quality development, it aims to demonstrate greater contributions and assume stronger responsibilities.