On January 24, 2025, the Jade Weser Port in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, welcomed the KAWA Ningbo, the first vessel of the newly launched “China-Europe Express” maritime route. Unlike traditional shipping routes, this direct point-to-point connection between Europe and China’s Yangtze River Delta reduces transit time from 45 days to just 26 days. The route is particularly transformative for industries such as automotive, lithium batteries, and solar energy, which rely on fast and high-value goods transportation.
Wilhelmshaven Mayor Carsten Feist highlighted how the new route fosters not only economic ties but also mutual trust and friendship between the two regions. Frank Doods, State Secretary of Lower Saxony’s Ministry of Economics, emphasized that this fast connection offers a solution to global trade disruptions, saying, “Such collaborations are not only vital for trade but also for global peace and stability.” As part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the project aims to establish Wilhelmshaven as a key hub in European trade while strengthening its partnership with China.
A New Chapter in Global Trade
Maud Lau, General Manager of KAWA Shipping, announced plans to increase the route’s frequency from monthly to bi-weekly sailings later this year and to expand operations to include the U.S. East Coast in the future. Wilhelmshaven’s modern terminal facilities and efficient sea-rail intermodal transportation are expected to enhance trade activities between Europe and China. Michael Blach, President of Eurogate Group, described the Belt and Road Initiative as a major opportunity for port collaboration, expressing confidence that this project will drive economic growth in Wilhelmshaven and its surrounding region.