Wuhan, capital of central Hubei province, launched a direct shipping route for container vessels linking the city with Japan on Nov 28 -- marking the first international shipping route in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, according to a report in the Changjiang Daily.
The first container vessel on the shipping route -- the Central China Logistics Hanya 1 -- loaded with 200 goods weighing 5,176 kilograms -- is scheduled to reach Osaka, Japan, in five days.
Wuhan Xingang Datong International Shipping Co, a subsidiary of Central China Logistics Corporation, signed a cooperation agreement with Ben Line Agencies (Japan) Ltd earlier in August to jointly operate the direct shipping line to Japan.
On June 12 this year, Wuhan's first 500 TEU container ship to Japan, named Central China Logistics Hanya 1, set sail on its maiden voyage. On Sept 29, the ship was delivered to Wuhan Xingang Datong International Shipping Co and has arrived at its anchorage near Wuhan Port, stand ready to start operations.
The second 500-ton container ship Hanya 2 was launched on Aug 8. After the launch, the systems equipment commissioning, phase-bearing and other tests were completed and sea trials were carried out on Nov 5. The Hanya 2 has a total length of 125 meters, a width of 20.8m, a depth of 10.2m and a draft of 6.2m.
The vessel has a load capacity of 7,900 tons, a maximum load of 9,500 tons, a carrying capacity of 560 TEU or twenty-foot equivalent unit, as well as a design speed of 13.7 knots.
It can sail in non-restricted water areas and in inland river A and B-class navigation areas.
The two ships will be on duty by turns and the number of runs will be increased as circumstances require.
