The point-to-point direct route from Weitou Port to Manila Port made its maiden voyage in Weitou Port, Jinjiang, Quanzhou on June 1. [Photo/Jinjiang Economy News]

To further optimize the Southeast Asia route network and help "China-made" products go global more quickly, Jinjiang, a hub for overseas Chinese in Fujian province, inaugurated the direct shipping service from Weitou Port to Manila Port in the Philippines on June 1.

On its maiden voyage, the vessel, named "Meigao 1", carried 790 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of footwear and apparel products from Weitou Bay Port area to Manila Port under the protection of the Quanzhou Maritime Department. This new route will operate weekly, completing the journey in just 36 hours, a significant reduction in transit time.

Jinjiang is also renowned as a famous hometown of overseas Chinese and the richest county in Fujian. It boasts a solid industrial foundation in footwear, textiles, food, building materials, healthcare, and smart equipment, which gives it a unique advantage in deepening its presence in the Southeast Asian market. The number of overseas Chinese in the Philippines who can trace their ancestry back to Jinjiang has surpassed 1.2 million individuals.

Renowned for its industrial prowess in footwear, textiles, food, building materials, healthcare, and smart equipment, the region holds promising economic opportunities, particularly in the Southeast Asian market.

In March, a Jinjiang delegation conducted economic and trade activities in the Philippines, leading to the signing of the direct shipping service agreement between Weitou Port and Manila Port.

Following the agreement, the Quanzhou Maritime Bureau facilitated the successful maiden voyage by coordinating with port authorities to streamline customs clearance and vessel operations, ensuring seamless cargo loading and zero waiting time for vessels in the port.

A representative of Macrocean Shipping Limited stated that after the opening of the route, the company will dedicate efforts to establishing a "Jinjiang-Manila" rapid maritime transport passage. It aims to provide point-to-point shipping services with weekly schedules, connecting Jinjiang with surrounding regions and establishing a comprehensive multimodal transportation network throughout the Philippines. Meanwhile, it will offer convenient and efficient logistics channels to enterprises, effectively reducing export logistics costs and supporting foreign trade enterprises in expanding their global reach.