(ECNS) -- Two new container shipping routes were launched at Dalian Port on Tuesday, linking the coastal city in northeast China’s Liaoning Province with Europe and the Mediterranean.

The new routes are operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, a global leader in container shipping services. The company plans to deploy 32 container ships, each with a capacity of 19,000 TEUs, to offer weekly services.
The "Dalian-Mediterranean" route will cover major ports in Egypt and Türkiye, while the "Dalian-Europe" route will offer direct access to key ports, including Felixstowe in the United Kingdom and Bremerhaven in Germany.
According to Zhang Hao, deputy general manager of Dalian Container Terminal Co., Ltd., the new routes are expected to meet regional demand for the import and export of products such as chemicals, automobiles and parts, electromechanical equipment, and minerals.
Wang Nan, manager of a local logistics company, said the journey to the Mediterranean from northeast China will be shortened by eight to 10 days, lowering logistics and time costs.
Dalian Port currently operates 106 container shipping routes, including 93 international trade routes, connecting with over 300 ports in 160 countries and regions worldwide.