China-Europe Express: New Ningbo-Wilhelmshaven service, fastest maritime shipping option from Asia to Europe
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The first China-Europe Express cargo ship arrived in the German port of Wilhelmshaven on Friday, the service's maiden voyage from China's eastern Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. The direct journey took only twenty-six days, making it the fastest maritime shipping option from Asia to Europe. Natalie Carney has more from Wilhelmshaven. 

Hailed as the "fastest shipping route" from the Yangtze River Delta to Europe, the Kawa Ningbo cargo ship left China on December 30th, arriving in Germany just 26 days later – reducing the maritime transit time for cargo by nearly two weeks.

CONG WU Chinese Consul General, Hamburg "This route significantly enhances the flow of goods between China and Europe, strengthening the stability of the global industrial and supply chain. It's a good example of how Belt and Roads projects come together."

With no intermediate stops, the China Europe Express, or CEX, comes after years of disruptions in global shipping, which has led to longer transit times and higher shipping costs.

It is hoped this new direct service from China's busiest port of Ningbo to Germany's JadeWeser port will help alleviate these disruptions.

MARC-OLIVER HAUSWALD Managing Director, Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort "We are incredibly proud that one of the largest ports in the world has decided to come to Wilhelmshaven. We are the only deep-water port in Germany, which means that we can be approached at any time by all ship classes in the world, regardless of depth, and we excellently offer connections to the European hinterland with rail and truck traffic." 

Within the 2,400 twenty-foot containers on board the CEX's maiden journey were Chinese-produced lithium batteries bound for Hungary's automotive manufacturers. 

STANLEY SONG Logistics Manager, Central European Trade and Logistics Cooperation Zone "They have full block train containers we have trans-loaded from Wilhelmshaven to Budapest. The lithium batteries and also the new type of energy cars manufacturers have invested a lot, like billions of euros in Hungary and we are doing the last main logistics for them."

NATALIE CARNEY Wilhelmshaven, Germany "The China Europe Express is seen as a milestone in the Maritime Silk Road. In addition to it being a direct journey, the CEX is also saving time by using the Suez Canal, a route that has been avoided by many other shipping companies due to the ongoing tensions in the area."

Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked dozens of commercial ships in the Red Sea in response to the conflict in Gaza and western air strikes on their positions.

This has forced major shipping companies to divert their route around southern Africa, a journey that takes ten days longer.

But Kawa shipping, the operator of the CEX cargo ship and who already transports freight between China and the Middle East, have found a way around this.

MAUD LAU Managing Director, Kawa Shipping "Because the Chinese army vessel, which can protect our vessel in the Red Sea."

According to Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group, who initiated this new shipping option, the CEX will start offering a monthly service as of next month, eventually increasing to bi-weekly by the end of the year.

The next China Europe Express cargo ship will depart from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port at the end of February. 

Natalie Carney, CGTN, Wilhelmshaven.