Just 26 Days on the Move! Yangtze River Delta to Europe: 'Fastest Route' Established

 

 

cnnb.com.cn reporter Shan Yu Zifeng and correspondent Hu Jinqu

On the afternoon of December 30, 2024, at around 1:30 p.m., the vessel KAWA NINGBO, carrying CATL and BYD-made batteries, departed slowly from the Chuanshan Port Area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port. As its whistle signaled the start of its journey to Wilhelmshaven, Germany, it marked the maiden voyage of the China-Europe Express (CEX), the "fastest route" established from the Yangtze River Delta to Europe.

 

 

 

 

Reportedly, this route is a dedicated "point-to-point" direct route between Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Wilhelmshaven, bypassing any transshipment ports. The transit period for goods is just 26 days, cutting down about 12 days from the conventional schedule.

As the Belt and Road Initiative gains greater traction, the depth of China-EU industrial collaboration is expanding, setting higher benchmarks and presenting more challenges for traditional supply chain services. The Ningbo Zhoushan Port is actively working to streamline the "New Asia-Europe Logistics Corridor", establish a "modern Asia-Europe logistics hub", and forge links with "emerging business opportunities in Asia-Europe logistics". By adapting to local conditions and developing new quality productive forces, it is innovating to introduce the CEX logistics service, providing novel overseas solutions for China's "New Three" along with exports related to cross-border e-commerce.

In November, Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd. entered into a memorandum of understanding with KAWA SHIPPING (HONG KONG) CO., LIMITED, the Central European Trade and Logistics Cooperation Zone, and Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort-Marketing GmbH & Co. KG. This cooperation aims to establish the CEX service, crafting a "maritime highway" between the Yangtze River Delta and Northwestern Europe, thus addressing gaps in the shipping market.

 

 

The picture shows Germany's overseas warehouse.

 

 

Leveraging the CEX initiative, Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Wilhelmshaven have jointly introduced the "Port-side Hazardous Goods (Category IX) Warehouse", which commenced trial operations on December 3rd, according to German time. This project aims to expedite the development of a European cross-border trade distribution center and a new energy product allocation hub. Ningbo Zhoushan Port's direct cargo services, bolstered by the CEX and overseas warehouses, utilize Wilhelmshaven as a strategic distribution center. This setup enables seamless waterway transfers to Northern Europe and the Baltic coast, while land routes efficiently extend service across Northwestern Europe, including Germany, France, and Belgium, and into prominent Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The swift 30-day journey underscores Ningbo Zhoushan Port's speed, cementing its role in ensuring the robust functionality of China-EU trade.

 

 

 

 

"Ningbo port authorities and shipping departments are enthusiastic supporters of the CEX launch, significantly easing the processes of storing, inspecting, and dispatching export goods, notably lithium batteries," according to a Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group official.

The maritime department has inaugurated a Green Channel approval system for the CEX, enabling products like lithium batteries to benefit from expedited processing in administrative licensing procedures. Additionally, with the 'same loading and same inspection' method for exporting goods from factory to quayside, enterprises can save 1–2 days in transfer time, while noticeably cutting down on logistics costs. As part of efforts to ensure the successful launch of the new route, Ningbo Customs has streamlined the ship oversight procedures by leveraging an intelligent logistics management platform. This has facilitated paperless declarations and automated checks and clearance for vessels arriving and departing. Companies are also encouraged to utilize facilitation measures such as advance declarations and aggregated tax payments. By conducting document reviews early, the process achieves 'zero waiting' for ship arrivals and 'zero delays' in cargo inspection and release, maintaining seamless operations throughout berthing, port stay, and departure.

 

 

 

 

Ningbo Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection Station has meticulously implemented the "One Ship, One Policy" inspection protocol, providing proactive front-line services. By collaborating with relevant enterprises and departments, and coordinating all necessary inspection procedures under a "one-stop" approach, the station has ensured "zero waiting" operations and "zero delays" customs clearance for ships. Additionally, security inspections are bolstered through port patrols, video surveillance, and other methods, all aimed at guaranteeing the safety, efficiency, and seamlessness of port customs clearance.

 

 

 

 

"The CEX provides a convenient solution for exporting 'New Three' goods produced by Yangtze River Delta enterprises, including electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products, effectively addressing the 'three hurdles' of shipping, transportation, and storage," stated a spokesperson for Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group. With the opening of this route, it will operate on a monthly schedule, offering customized "one-stop" and "point-to-point" fast shipping services tailored for the export needs of industrial and manufacturing companies in Zhejiang Province and across China to Europe. The CEX service serves as a trade bridge that opens new avenues for bilateral economic development between China and Europe. The innovative logistics model integrating "sea-rail intermodal express + CEX + overseas warehouses" is revolutionizing cross-border e-commerce. This initiative from Ningbo Zhoushan Port is enhancing global connectivity and encouraging wider participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. It showcases Chinese expertise and strength, contributing significantly to the development of global trade.

 

 

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  Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of cnnb. The cnnb version shall prevail.