Shandong Port Group (SPG) recently established a logistics channel for importing dried cassava from Southeast Asia via container shipping. The vessel OOCL America, carrying Thai dried cassava, docked and unloaded smoothly, marking the official transition of SPG's dried cassava imports from bulk to container transport, introducing a new business model.

Dried cassava, with a starch content of up to 80 percent, is a key raw material for producing cassava starch, fermented alcohol, and citric acid. As a leading province in alcohol production, Shandong has a substantial demand for dried cassava and a vast customer base. Furthermore, evolving national environmental regulations have increased the demand among SPG's hinterland customers for containerized transportation of dried cassava.

SPG's "Thailand-Qingdao" project, transitioning from bulk to container transport, officially launches. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

With strong support from Qingdao Port and other affiliated units, along with collaborative marketing by SPG's Linyi representative office, the Southeast Asia company of SPG leveraged its regional advantages to conduct multiple business negotiations in Thailand. With extensive shipping route resources, SPG successfully reduced the overall cost of container transportation for customers, aligning it with the per-ton cost of bulk transportation. This initiative provided customers with a new method for importing dried cassava and ensured a reliable supply for the Shandong hinterland.

Currently, SPG operates over 50 direct container shipping routes to Southeast Asia, leading Northeast Asia in the number of direct routes. The group now boasts the ports with the most direct routes, highest frequency, and widest coverage from northern China to major ports in Thailand.