A cargo vessel at Yantai Port gets ready for a shipment heading for Ravenna Port in Italy. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

A new shipping route connecting Yantai Port in China's Shandong province to Ravenna Port in Italy was officially opened on Jan 9.

A cargo vessel carrying food-grade steel and fertilizers was the first to ply the route.

The opening of the new route is another milestone for the first multimodal transport development alliance for general cargo by Yantai Port. Comprising 16 entities, the alliance aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and foster collaborative development.

The new route was opened to meet the growing demand for miscellaneous Chinese exports. Presently, Yantai Port operates 22 international routes to Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

Yantai Port has been constructing a top-tier supply chain service system focused on miscellaneous goods to provide customers with a comprehensive solution within the supply chain.

In 2023, Yantai Port registered a record-high annual shipment volume exceeding 7.7 million metric tons, a 51.9 percent year-on-year increase, solidifying its position as a global logistics leader.

The new route is expected to enhance Sino-Italian trade cooperation and contribute to the continued expansion and diversification of global maritime trade routes.