Representatives from Xiamen Port and ZIM Integrated Shipping celebrate the launch of the new cargo route China Australia Express on Dec 25. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
The China Australia Express, a new cargo route linking Xiamen in East China's Fujian province with Australia, was launched on Dec 25, Xiamen Daily reported.
The route is the second one introduced by Israel-based ZIM Integrated Shipping at Xiamen Port this year, following the ZIM eCommerce Xpress, which was launched in October.
Officials said that six 2,500-TEU (20-foot equivalent units) container vessels will serve the route. The ships will stop at Ningbo in Zhejiang province, Shanghai, Sidney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, before returning to Xiamen.
The round trip takes only 12 days, making it a highly-effective and low-cost logistical channel.
ZIM had experienced a year-on-year increase of 414 percent in international container volume at Xiamen Port from January to November, with the total volume reaching 33,900 TEUs.
Xiamen Port, which currently has 157 cargo routes for domestic and foreign trade, is connected to 55 countries. The container throughput at the port is expected to surpass 11 million TEUs this year.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
