A roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel carrying over 2,500 China-made new energy vehicles recently departed from the Dagang Branch of Qingdao Port for Central America. 

The vessel's departure signifies the opening of a new ro-ro route, which was jointly launched by Qingdao Port and CMA CGM Group. It will facilitate the global distribution of new energy vehicles, helping Chinese new energy vehicles gain a stronger foothold in the Central American market.

A ro-ro vessel docks at the Dagang Branch of Qingdao Port. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With the increasing popularity of Chinese new energy vehicles in international markets, Qingdao Port has leveraged its central position in international shipping routes and intermodal transportation to thoroughly integrate ro-ro operations into the industrial chain of countries participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Following the opening of a ro-ro route to Mexico in February, the collaboration with CMA CGM Group will further strengthen the port's international ro-ro transportation network.

"The maiden voyage achieved a handling rate of 250 units per hour, with zero wait time during the entire operation. In addition, we have identified cargo holds in advance, ensuring that vehicles can be positioned immediately without the need for a second U-turn after entering the site," said Zhou Lei, head of the operation department of Dagang Branch.

The Dagang Branch of Qingdao Port witnessed a remarkable breakthrough in the first quarter, with the export volume of new energy vehicles surging by 160 percent year-on-year.