China Launches First ASEAN “Container Shipping Route with Punctuality and Cost Reduction”

The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to Ho Chi Minh City Port “Container Shipping Punctuality and Cost Reduction” route has officially commenced operations.

This newly launched route between Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and Ho Chi Minh City Port, designed for “on-time delivery and cost reduction in container shipping,” will significantly reduce vessel turnaround time and cargo transshipment cycles through precise schedule management, efficient port coordination, and deep collaboration among port, shipping, and terminal operators. It will provide customers with more punctual, reliable, and economical maritime services.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port ranks as the world's largest port, handling over 1.4 billion tons of cargo annually with more than 800,000 vessel calls.

In 2019, the Zhejiang Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration pioneered integrated vessel traffic organization in the core port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port nationwide. By coordinating resources including fairways, anchorages, and pilotage services, it introduced a “vessel timetable” system that uniformly releases schedules one day in advance. Following implementation, the main channel's punctuality rate reached 98%, with port entry/exit efficiency improving by 35%.

Addressing container liner shipping's stringent punctuality requirements, the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration further refined this mechanism by launching the “Container Shipping Punctuality and Cost Reduction Plan” to enhance liner service punctuality and reduce overall costs. According to a relevant official from the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, this plan has achieved significant results in domestic pilot programs. Currently, 12 major coastal ports and 22 shipping companies are participating. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port alone has reduced vessel waiting time by over 25,000 hours, helping shipping companies save more than 867 million yuan in operating costs.