Wuhan New Port Datong International has officially launched a weekly container shipping service between Wuhan and Japan, deploying two 560TEU ships.
The service had a few pilot runs that began on 28 November 2019 and was suspended when Covid-19 broke out from Wuhan in January 2020. In an attempt to contain the outbreak, the Chinese government locked down Wuhan, the pandemic epicentre, on 23 January, lifting the ringfence on 8 April.
On 9 May, the Wuhan-Japan service was launched with the Hua Hang Han Ya 2, setting out from Wuhan’s Yangluo port. The vessel was loaded with around 300 20ft containers, carrying textiles, epidemic prevention materials, and petrochemicals. A sister ship, Hua Hang Han Ya 1, has also been assigned to the service, which will see the vessels sailing along the Yangtze River into the East China Sea and on to Kobe, Osaka and Nagoya. It will take five days for the ship to reach Kobe.
Wuhan Port and Shipping Development Group decided to start the Wuhan-Yokohama service to reduce dependence on upriver feedering, and therefore commissioned the two ships at Jiangdong Shipyard. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, has been an established manufacturing centre in China.
Wuhan New Port Datong International Shipping is a subsidiary of Wuhan Port and Shipping Development Group. The latter is ultimately owned by five municipal governments from Hubei province, including that of Wuhan.
The Chinese government has been keen to restart the economy and the launching of the Wuhan-Yokohama service reflects its success in containing the Covid-19 outbreak.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
