SPG is the world's largest port conglomerate by cargo capacity. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On March 27, Shandong Port Group (SPG) joined hands with CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Co and Tailwind Shipping Lines to hold a ceremony for the opening of five international ocean-going direct container lines. The move was considered as part of SPG's efforts to improve its advantages in ocean-going direct shipping lines, expand the global shipping network, strengthen port capacity and provide strong support to become an international shipping hub center in Northeast Asia.

As a significant hub connecting production and consumption and imports and exports, SPG has deeply integrated the Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin and other national strategies since its founding on Aug 6, 2019. Furthermore, it has helped build a new development pattern, enhanced maritime connectivity and amplified its comprehensive services.

By integrating its ports, SPG has developed four core container business advantages. It has given full support in helping container liners open new direct ocean-going routes and continues to attract business from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia to SPG. Over the past three-plus years, SPG has opened over 130 shipping routes, and the route number and density rank first among northern China's coastal ports. Its cargo throughput has experienced a yearly growth of 100 million metric tons for four years in a row. In 2022, its overall cargo throughput surpassed 1.6 billion tons and its container volume exceeded 37 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), ranking first and third globally.

According to port officials, among these newly opened services, the service to Central and South America, which is operated by CMA CGM, will comprehensively improve SPG's connectivity with main ports in Central and South America, such as Manzanillo and Buenaventura. The European service operated by Tailwind Shipping Lines serves as a premium service of SPG to transport exported consumer goods directly to Europe, and is expected to offer sufficient shipping capacities and shipping slots to satisfy the export demand of customers in regions along the Yellow River basin and connect them with major European ports, such as Barcelona and Rotterdam.

Moving forward, SPG plans to tap into opportunities through these new services to expedite the integrated development of the container business and build itself into an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia with Qingdao Port as its vanguard. Additionally, it plans to accelerate global position and set up regional companies in North America, South America, Africa, West Asia, South Korea and Japan, in order to expand and extend its scope of services. It also intends to continuously enhance its core competitiveness and achieve high-quality container development by relying on its first-class comprehensive supply chain service system. 

SPG holds a ceremony for the opening of five international ocean-going direct container lines on March 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

SPG holds a ceremony for the opening of five international ocean-going direct container lines on March 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]