Jiangsu Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. - a subsidiary of Jiangsu Port Group - has officially inaugurated a direct container shipping route connecting Nanjing to the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of the company's near-ocean network across the RCEP region.

The inaugural voyage was operated by the vessel Meitai, which departed from the Longtan Port Area of Nanjing Port carrying a consignment of home appliances, electronic products, and general chemical goods bound for Batangas Port in the Philippines. The launch of this route fills a long-standing gap in direct container shipping services linking the Yangtze River corridor to the Philippines.

This new service represents the latest addition to Jiangsu Ocean Shipping's growing Southeast Asian route portfolio, following the establishment of its Thailand-Vietnam, Indonesia, and East Indonesia services. Anchored by Nanjing and Taicang as origin ports, the route will initially call at Batangas Container Terminal, with Manila and additional ports to be incorporated in subsequent phases - progressively extending the route's cargo catchment radius.

The launch forms part of Jiangsu Port Group's broader strategic commitment to deepening its presence across the RCEP region and developing southbound logistics corridors into Southeast Asia. Leveraging its established and mature Indonesia route network, Jiangsu Ocean Shipping is positioned to deliver integrated, efficient operations across this new service.

In recent years, Jiangsu Port Group has actively advanced the national Transport Power and "Water Transport Jiangsu" strategic directives, channelling sustained support toward Jiangsu Ocean Shipping's ambition to become a leading domestic shipping enterprise. The group has steadily reinforced its Southeast Asian liner network, maintaining stable operations across its Thailand-Vietnam, Indonesia, and East Indonesia premium near-ocean routes.

The opening of the Nanjing-Philippines corridor directly strengthens logistics connectivity between the Yangtze River Basin and RCEP member states. It is designed to efficiently consolidate cargo from foreign trade enterprises across Jiangsu and the broader Yangtze hinterland - compressing logistics timelines, reducing overall transportation costs, and providing robust maritime support for China-Philippines trade growth. The route further advances Jiangsu's ambitions to develop as a globally competitive, bidirectional open hub along the Belt and Road.

Jiangsu Ocean Shipping has affirmed its commitment to deepening its engagement with Southeast Asian markets under the RCEP framework - strengthening cargo development along each route, dynamically optimising sailing schedules and port call arrangements, enhancing bidirectional cargo flow management, and building out end-to-end supply chain solutions. These initiatives are not isolated undertakings but form part of a coherent, long-term strategy to position Jiangsu as a higher-level open economy and to fully realise its advantage as a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative.

https://www.shippingazette.com/news/9260900000036