24,000 TEU capacity, 9,350 TEU on its maiden voyage, 14 new direct routes to the US and a 7 percent increase in container throughput

As reported by CCTV+, global shipping giants are taking concrete steps to fully leverage the potential of the developed Shanghai port as a transport hub. Giant container ships and high-frequency direct routes are being launched.

The world’s largest dual-fuel container ship, the CMA CGM Notre Dame, set off on its maiden voyage from Shanghai’s Yangshan port, serving the China-Europe route.

The giant vessel is 400 metres long, with a total capacity of up to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). This time, 9,350 TEU were loaded at Yangshan port, carrying Chinese electric vehicles and energy storage systems to Europe. Gu Haoyu, Chief Operating Officer of CMA CGM China, noted: “The route served by the CMA CGM Notre Dame is an important link connecting China and Europe. Shanghai port plays a key role on this route.”

Last Thursday, China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited also launched its first voyage from Yangshan port to the US West Coast. COSCO Shipping launched 14 new direct routes from the Far East to the US West Coast, offering the fastest cargo delivery from Shanghai to Seattle in 18 days. The vessel Xin Shantou, loaded with 1,336 TEU, is heading to North America.

As shipping giants such as COSCO Shipping and CMA CGM continue to call at Shanghai with ultra-large vessels, Yangshan port has become one of the most route-intensive and efficient major transport hubs in the world.

Yang Yanbin, Deputy General Manager of the Production and Business Department of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd., said: “From January to April, Shanghai port handled a total of 18.959 million TEU, a 7 percent increase year on year. CMA CGM handled 1.685 million TEU at Shanghai port, an increase of 12.9 percent year on year. This fully demonstrates that CMA CGM highly values the role of Shanghai port as a transport hub.”

400 metres long. 24,000 containers. 18 days to Seattle. Shanghai’s Yangshan port is becoming not just a gateway to China, but a nerve centre of global logistics. CMA CGM is carrying Chinese electric vehicles to Europe. COSCO is launching 14 new lines to the US. Container throughput is up 7 percent, and for CMA CGM — nearly 13 percent. The giants are voting with their containers. They are choosing Shanghai not by chance — it is fast, reliable and cost-effective.

The question is not whether Shanghai will become the world’s leading port. It already has. The question is how many other ports can offer the same conditions. While others are catching up, Shanghai is already receiving ships as long as four football pitches. And unloading them faster than anyone expected.