This route provides the fastest direct connection between Europe and China’s Yangtze River Delta, cutting transit times from 45 days to just 26 days.
The KAWA Ningbo carried over 1,700 containers, including new-energy products and other high-value goods. Officials highlighted the route’s role in strengthening global trade and supply chains, with Cong Wu, consul general of the Chinese Consulate in Hamburg, stating that the route reflects the collaborative spirit of the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Optimism about Economic Ties Between Germany and China.
Frank Doods, State Secretary in the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Transport, Construction, and Digitization, noted the economic benefits for Wilhelmshaven and the wider Lower Saxony region, expressing optimism about deeper economic ties between Germany and China.
The "China-Europe Express" route was established through an agreement signed during the China International Import Expo. The route, which began operations with a departure from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on December 30, will now operate monthly, supporting regular freight exchange between the two regions.