First China-Europe Express Cargo Ship Arrives At Germany’s Wilhelmshaven Port

The first China-Europe Express (CEX) cargo ship, Kawa Ningbo, arrived at Germany’s Wilhelmshaven port on January 24, 2025, as part of the new express maritime service between China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and Germany.

The direct journey took 26 days and reduced the usual shipping time between Asia and Europe by nearly two weeks.

The service is operated by Kawa Shipping, a company backed by Zhejiang Seaport Logistics group, which launched in 2023 offering feeder services to the UAE.

The Kawa Ningbo, built in 2002, is a 2,495 TEU container vessel that was previously operated by Wan Hai before being acquired by Chinese interests in July 2024. The ship is 656 feet (200 meters) long and has a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 30,240.

The CEX service is being promoted as the fastest maritime shipping option from Asia to Europe, as it directly connects the Yangtze River Delta to Germany’s JadeWeserPort.

The route has no intermediate stops, allowing faster deliveries, particularly for high-value goods like lithium batteries, automotive components, and solar energy products.

According to reports, the Chinese government played an important role in the project. During a ceremony in Wilhelmshaven, Tao Chengbo, chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group, discusses the role of the service in strengthening China-Europe trade ties under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The CEX service is expected to boost trade at Wilhelmshaven, Germany’s only deep-water port. Marc-Oliver Hauswald, the port’s managing director, stated that Wilhelmshaven can accommodate all ship classes at any time, regardless of water depth, and has strong rail and truck connections to other parts of Europe.

On the maiden voyage, the Kawa Ningbo transported 2,400 containers, including Chinese-produced lithium batteries destined for Hungary’s automotive industry.

The cargo was trans-loaded from Wilhelmshaven to Budapest using full block train containers, according to Stanley Song, logistics manager at the Central European Trade and Logistics Cooperation Zone.

The CEX route passes through the Suez Canal, which major shipping companies have been avoiding due to Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. In recent months, the Houthis have targeted dozens of commercial ships in response to the conflict in Gaza.

This has forced many ships to reroute around southern Africa, increasing travel times by 10 to 15 days.

However, Kawa Shipping’s managing director, Maud Lau, stated that their vessels can safely pass through the Red Sea because they are escorted by Chinese naval vessels.

The Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group has announced that the CEX service will initially operate once a month but will increase to a bi-weekly schedule by late 2025.

The company also plans to replace the Kawa Ningbo with a larger 5,000 TEU vessel in the summer and introduce a transhipment service from Wilhelmshaven to the U.S. East Coast.

Apart from this, the Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are also introducing new routes between Asia and Europe under their Gemini Cooperation.

Maersk’s new system will reduce the number of port stops from seven or more to just three, supported by dedicated shuttle services for feeder ports.

The company is not marketing its new service as an express option, but it will improve schedule reliability, with an on-time performance rate exceeding 90%.

Meanwhile, U.S. trade officials have accused China of using government-backed shipping operations to dominate the global maritime industry.

Chinese officials have stated that the CEX service will stabilise supply chains and enhance trade efficiency. The next CEX cargo ship is scheduled to depart Ningbo-Zhoushan Port at the end of February.

Reference: CGTN

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