New Direct Shipping Route Links Jiangsu, China with Mexico

A new direct container shipping service connecting Jiangsu Province in eastern China with Mexico has officially launched.

The service began on Wednesday when a cargo vessel carrying 524 specialized containers departed Jiangyin Port in Jiangsu for the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico.

The new direct route has an estimated transit time of approximately 22 days. Compared with conventional services that require cargo to be transshipped through ports such as Shanghai and Ningbo, the route is expected to significantly reduce both journey times and logistics costs.

According to a China News Service report, Jia Yabo, deputy head of the local Maritime Safety Administration, said the service will provide companies in the Yangtze River Delta with a faster and more convenient maritime connection as they look to expand into the North American market.

Jia said most of the specialized containers being transported on the inaugural voyage have a lower-profile design. This enables them to comply with height restrictions imposed by railway tunnels and bridges in Mexico. The containers can also be transferred directly between railway flatcars and truck chassis, supporting end-to-end intermodal transportation using both road and rail networks.

After arriving at the Port of Manzanillo, the containers will be used to support inland road-rail intermodal operations and specialized cargo logistics services across North America.

Jiangyin Port is an important foreign trade export hub in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In recent years, the port has introduced several international container services connecting the region with Southeast Asia, Europe and other overseas markets, helping to extend its reach and strengthen its international competitiveness.

The latest service is also expected to provide manufacturers in the Yangtze River Delta with a more efficient maritime route for exporting equipment and developing business opportunities across the Americas.