Qingdao Port achieved a significant breakthrough in route expansion in the first month of 2026, launching four new container shipping routes in January. These include MSC's Australia-New Zealand route, COSCO SHIPPING's Red Sea and Southeast Asia routes, and CNC's Southeast Asia route. With these additions, the port's total number of routes has expanded to nearly 240, further consolidating its position as the northern hub with the highest number and density of shipping routes. Qingdao Port is now connected to over 700 ports in more than 180 countries and regions worldwide, enhancing its influence as an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia.
The extension of shipping routes serves as a barometer of economic vitality and an indicator of national strategic direction. The Red Sea route supports high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative, linking key ports in the Middle East and Africa and facilitating cross-border cooperation in industries such as energy and new energy vehicles. The Australia-New Zealand route capitalizes on the new starting point in China-Australia relations, enabling direct connections between northern China and major Australian ports and promoting the overseas expansion of competitive industries. The Southeast Asia route focuses on activating the benefits of RCEP regional cooperation, strengthening the ASEAN network, and boosting trade and regional industrial chain integration in sectors like electronics and agricultural products.
The simultaneous launch of four major routes at Qingdao Port within a single month fully demonstrates global market trust and recognition in the port's hub status and strong operational capabilities. As China's second-largest foreign trade port and the largest maritime gateway along the Yellow River basin, Qingdao Port boasts significant geographical advantages. It has established an extensive "golden corridor" through 56 inland ports and 86 sea-rail intermodal transport routes, leading the country in sea-rail intermodal container volume for 11 consecutive years. Operationally, Qingdao Port features a world-leading fully automated container terminal and has broken the world record for loading and unloading efficiency 13 times. By implementing customized services such as "one enterprise, one policy" and streamlined procedures like "direct pickup at shipside," the port maintains vessel direct berthing rates and operational efficiency among the top major global ports. Furthermore, the continuous optimization of the port's business environment, including a smart supervision model developed in collaboration with customs, has earned the highest rating for cross-border trade business environment for five consecutive years, providing a solid foundation for achieving 2.65 trillion yuan in foreign trade value at Qingdao Port by 2025.
The intensive launch of new routes goes beyond mere container volume growth, representing a leap in service capabilities. Each new route serves as an efficient supply chain connecting domestic and international markets, offering strong logistics support for foreign trade enterprises to explore emerging markets and optimize export structures, positioning Qingdao Port as a key hub in the dual-circulation development pattern. In the future, Qingdao Port will continue to optimize its global route network layout, enhance comprehensive service efficiency and hub capabilities, and demonstrate greater responsibility in serving national major strategies and empowering high-quality economic and social development.