SPG launches the Weihai-Taizhou river-sea-rail container multimodal transport route on Dec 1. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

The Jingu 168, loaded with 14,055 tons of freight, departed from Shandong Port Group or SPG's Weihai Port on the morning of Dec 1. It is set to arrive at Taizhou Port in Jiangsu province after a voyage lasting 60 hours. The ship's arrival in Taizhou will mark the official launch of the Weihai-Taizhou river-sea-rail container multimodal transport route, which has become the 13th route opened by Weihai Port since its parent company SPG launched a port integration reform initiative on Aug 6, 2019.

According to port officials, the newly opened route is expected to operate once a week and four times per month during the initial stages.

The Weihai-Taizhou river-sea-rail container multimodal transport route has completely transformed the way of cargo transportation between the Jiaodong area and the Yangtze River. By establishing a golden waterway between the two ports, the route will reduce total transportation costs by nearly 10 percent, while also cutting pollution and the amount of freight damaged in transit. Using this mode of transport is more convenient, efficient, ecofriendly and economical.

Furthermore, they will join hands to bolster the transport of local goods from the Yangtze River Delta region to Weihai, and to other ports in Shandong, Northeast China, Japan and South Korea – with Weihai as a transshipment hub.