China's largest domestic trade container ship Zhonggu Jinan, with a capacity of 4,600 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), began its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port, a subsidiary of Shandong Port Group (SPG) on Oct 17.

The container ship is jointly operated by SPG and Shanghai-based Zhonggu Shipping Company. Both sides have given priority to ensuring stability on six key fronts and maintaining security in six key areas. The launching of the container ship is expected to boost high-quality regional economic development and help the province ensure the stable operation of global industrial and supply chains.

Ports are basic and pivotal facilities and play an important role in supporting regional economic development. Since being established in 2019, SPG has been ramping up efforts to respond to the government's call to better serve and integrate itself into major national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, and has scored greater achievements in contributing to high-quality development and a new development paradigm.

Over the past three years, SPG has made great efforts to open more shipping routes, expand its shipping capacity and improve its transshipment volume. Currently, SPG has opened 328 shipping routes, ranking first among ports in northern China. The group has built 30 inland ports and developed 80 railway expresses, with the most sea-rail combined transport routes in China.

In the future, SPG will make continuous efforts to develop itself into an international shipping hub center in Northeast Asia, promote the integrated development among its industries, and transform into a world-class sea port operator.

China's largest domestic trade container ship Zhonggu Jinan starts its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port on Oct 17. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]