The first ship operating the direct shipping route linking Beibu Gulf Port and Myanmar arrives at Qinzhou Port [Photo/China News Service]

The direct shipping route linking Beibu Gulf Port and Myanmar opened on Oct 28, with the first ship operating this route arriving at Qinzhou Port, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region that day.

The route was jointly launched by Beibu Gulf Port Group and SITC Container Lines (Shanghai), with four ships operating the route every week.

The route will start from Qinzhou and connect Guangzhou's Nansha, Shenzhen's Shekou, Malaysia's Kelang, Myanmar's Yangon, and Indonesia's Belawan. Cargo transported on the route will be able to reach Kelang in nine days from Qinzhou and 12 days to Yangon, both being around 40 percent shorter than previous transportation methods.

It is expected to provide more export passages with more convenience for cargo in China's hinterland to reach overseas markets, while also helping enterprises significantly lower costs in logistics and warehousing.