KAWA NINGBO at Jade Weser Port

Wilhelmshaven, January 24, 2025 - As part of a festive opening ceremony at JadeWeserPort, representatives from politics and business welcomed the first container ship of the new China-Europe-Express (CEX) in Wilhelmshaven today.  A new direct connection between the ports of Ningbo and Wilhelmshaven was launched with the arrival of the “KAWA NINGBO”, a container ship operated by the Chinese shipping company KAWA Shipping.

Group photo opening of the CEX service at Jade Weser Port

Mit With a transit time of just 26 days, the new China-Europe-Express (CEX) service for container transport by sea is currently the fastest direct link on the market between China's busiest port of Ningbo in Southern China and Northern Europe. The shipping company KAWA Shipping is a new customer at JadeWeserPort and is using the CEX to open up new markets. Maud Lau, representative of KAWA Shipping, said: “With the CEX service, we are expanding our business activities in Europe and are initially offering shippers a monthly departure between Ningbo and Wilhelmshaven. Container vessels with a capacity of 2,500 TEU (20-foot standard containers) will be operated. In the first half of the year, we are planning to expand to fortnightly departures with container vessels with a capacity of 5,000 TEU."  This new connection was initiated by the branch of the Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group, which has been operating in the JadeWeserPort freight village since September 2024. On the occasion of the welcoming ceremony at JadeWeserPort, the Chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group, Tao Chengbo, said: "We are pleased to welcome the "KAWA NINGBO", the first vessel of the new CEX service, on schedule in Wilhelmshaven. The vessel started its voyage on 30 December 2024 in Ningbo. We are convinced that JadeWeserPort is an optimal logistics hub for our planned European hinterland transport and transhipment services.”

New CEX service makes JadeWeserPort even more attractive for shippers

For Marc-Oliver Hauswald, Managing Director Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort-Marketing, the CEX represents a unique link between the two strong economic regions of the Yangtze Delta and Northern Europe. He emphasized: "This waterborne 'fast lane' will connect Northern Europe and China in just 26 days without any further stopovers, complementing existing liner services. This connection is currently unique compared with competitors on the Northern European coast and is therefore a unique selling point for JadeWeserPort.” In addition to the waterborne link between the two continents, there is also a continuous hinterland rail link from Wilhelmshaven to Budapest.  “JadeWeserPort is developing into a hub for global logistics. The ports on the East coast of North America can also be reached quickly via Wilhelmshaven," explained Hauswald.

Michael Blach, Chairman of the Management Board of EUROGATE GmbH & Co. KGaA, KG, the operator of the container terminal, said: “From Ningbo directly to Wilhelmshaven in just 26 days transit time. This is a truly unique selling point in the Asia-Europe trade. We are looking forward to this cooperation and will do our best to ensure fast and smooth handling at our terminal.”

Frank Doods, State Secretary in Lower Saxony's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalization, also addressed the company representatives and guests at the opening ceremony: “With its excellent nautical conditions and being the only deep-water container port in Germany, Wilhelmshaven is predestined for new liner services. There are also excellent road and rail links - ideal conditions for meeting the growing demands of today's supply chains. The new CEX service between Wilhelmshaven and China is therefore not only an important bridge leading to greater visibility for customers in the Far East, but also a signal for further growth at JadeWeserPort.”

For the Chinese partners of the CEX service, the currently fastest liner service between China and Northern Europe is an impressive example of the successful expansion of the “Maritime Silk Road”. China and the partners involved want to make transport services and logistics solutions more efficient, cost-effective and service-oriented for the benefit of the economy.

The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Hamburg, Wu Cong, said at the launch of the CEX service in Wilhelmshaven: "The new 'China-Europe Express' direct service not only facilitates the exchange of goods between China and Europe, but also plays a positive role in stabilizing global production and supply chains. It reflects the profound significance of the 'Silk Road Initiative'. The further development of the CEX service will open up new opportunities for cooperation between the two ports and provide new impetus to the economies of both regions.”

JadeWeserPort freight village benefits from the new service

Sönke Kewitz, Managing Director of P3 Germany, said: “The arrival of the “KAWA NINGBO” marks a significant milestone for JadeWeserPort and international trade. The new direct liner service to China creates a wide range of opportunities for growth and development. JadeWeserPort offers companies optimal conditions for their business activities. We appreciate the excellent cooperation with Zhejiang Seaport and plan to start the next construction phase as early as 2025.” The subsidiary of port operator Ningbo Port was the first company to move into the approximately 32,000 square meters of logistics space provided by P3 Logistic Parks at JadeWeserPort and moved into the first warehouse in November last year.

About the JadeWeserPort Wilhelmshaven

Germany's only deep-water container port was launched in 2012. The site comprises a 130-hectare container terminal with a 1,725-meter-long quay. With a water depth of 18 meters, the site on the Jade River is accessible regardless of the tides. The adjacent freight village (GVZ) offers 150 hectares of commercial and industrial classification and has capacity for further expansion. The port is linked to the hinterland via the A29 and A1 motorways. The A29 ends directly in front of the GVZ and the container terminal.

Source, Bengt van Beuningen and Dagmar Trepins Nordic LOG PR Kontor