Zhejiang Wenzhou Port opens first direct container route to West Africa

China News Service, Wenzhou, September 30 (Hu Fengsheng, Guan Rui) On September 30, the Zhuangyuan'ao Port area of ​​Wenzhou Port in Zhejiang welcomed the maiden voyage of the "NF VISION", marking the official opening of the port's first direct container route to West Africa and achieving a breakthrough in the West African direction of Wenzhou Port's international routes.

The "NF VISION" on this maiden voyage has a total length of 289 meters and a deadweight of 101,000 tons. This voyage is planned to carry about 9,543 tons of cargo. The new route spans the Indian Ocean and passes through the Cape of Good Hope, adding a stable maritime channel for regional trade with Africa. The one-way voyage takes about 55 days and can reach major West African ports such as Bora, Tema, and Conakry. At the beginning of the route, 3 ships will be put into operation, and it will gradually increase to 6 ships in the future, maintaining a half-monthly frequency. After the route is opened, foreign trade companies in southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian can directly reach major ports in West Africa through Wenzhou Port, which is about 7 days faster than the traditional route, and the turnover efficiency increases by 11.3%.

During the maiden voyage guarantee period, Wenzhou Maritime Safety Administration combined with the navigation conditions of the channel, berth and water area of ​​Zhuangyuan'ao Port Area, grasped the ship's size, draft, arrival and departure plan and other information in advance, formulated the "NF VISION" Vessel Arrival Zhuangyuan'ao Pier Pilotage Plan, and detailed the entry safety assurance tasks. Before the ship enters the port, two coast guard boats are arranged to carry out patrols on the incoming route, and timely safety reminders and traffic guidance are provided. While the ship is in port, the Wenzhou Maritime Safety Administration, together with Wenzhou Border Inspection and other departments, conducts joint inspections of the ship. Among them, the maritime department conducts anti-collision boarding and penetration testing of commercial fishing ships based on the navigation characteristics of commercial fishing vessels during the fishing season, strengthens supervision of open flame operations, and conducts safety management and control during ship loading, unloading, and operations.

In recent years, Wenzhou Port has continued to expand international liner routes, and currently has opened 20 international routes, reaching Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other regions. The opening of the West Africa route has filled the gap in Wenzhou Port's direct route to West Africa, and also added a direct shipping route for foreign trade companies in southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian to expand the African market.