Shipping Routes: A Complete Guide About Major Routes of China for Global Trade

Chapter 1: What is the importance of shipping routes and how they help in business

Shipping routes have a lot of significance in the world of business and trade. Shipping routes are sea lane or sea road that is used to navigate merchant sea vessels.

Ocean vessels navigate through the water just like trucks and other vehicles use highways and roads.

These routes help business to ship their goods all over the world.  These shipping routes are used for international trade and it’s one of the fastest ways of ship goods globally.

Shipping routes are the paths that ships and ocean vessels use across the oceans.

They are predefined channels that are defined within the context of physical geopolitical constraints.

Physical constraints can include depth, the presence of reefs, and current speed.

1. What are shipping routes

Shipping routes are pathways in the oceans taken by the ships to ship the cargo from one place to another place.

Merchant sea vessels ship the goods from one country to another country.

Shipping routes are pre-designed and the effect of prevailing winds and currents is kept into consideration for these fixed pre-defined routes.

Shipping routes usually connect production and consumption areas. China is one of the major exporters and exports all over the world.

Some other main exporters include Japan, Europe, and the United States. Ningbo Zhoustan is a Chinese port that is considered one of the world’s biggest ports.

Other than that, China has 11 of the world’s 15 busiest ports.

2. Importance of shipping routes

Almost eighty percent of the goods are transported by ships. Shipping routes are used to move these ships safely from one location to another.

Pre-defined shipping routes also help in dealing with the weather and other physical constraints in an effective manner.

Shipping is also an efficient and cost-effective method of goods transportation. With the advancements in e-commerce global shipping has increased immensely.

Shipping helps to carry out this transportation in an effective manner. Many people and businesses rely on shipping and take benefit from it.

It plays a major role in global trade and goods transportation.

3. What are major shipping routes for global trade

Shipping lanes are one of the most important contributions to global trade.

Some of the shipping lanes are busier than the rest because of how they facilitate their trade routes.

Following are some of the busiest shipping routes: Asia to Europe, Asia to the US, Europe to the UK, Intra to Asia, and America to Canada.

4. How vessels navigate at sea around the world

Vessel navigation includes determining the position of the ship and guiding the ship to its destination.

It is important to know the relative location of the vessel and understand latitude and longitude.

Nowadays, modern Ships use the latest technology that helps them to navigate through the ocean.

There are also shipping routes just like highways and roads that determine the pathways for the ships and help them to navigate in a hassle-free manner.

Their position is determined electronically by collecting necessary information from the satellites.

Modern ships rely on modern technology instead of old methods like astrolabes, maps, calipers, and simple compasses.

5. Why Maritime Laws are important?

Everything is protected by law and those laws are followed accordingly. There are also laws when it comes to the sea and anything that happens on the sea.

These laws are called Maritime Laws. The origin of the maritime laws goes back to ancient times because trade by sea is one of the oldest methods that were used for goods transportation.

Maritime laws have evolved as the way we do global trade has significantly changed.

Maritime laws are crucial to keeping all the activities that happen on the water under supervision and control.

These laws are also known as admiralty laws and they govern all the matters related to private business and disputes related to shipping and other matters.

Maritime laws are generally related to environmental protection, maritime safety, commercial spirit, preventing contamination, and navigation security.

Foreign ship officers need to be educated regarding maritime laws and should comply with all the legal legislation regarding maritime laws.

Chapter 2: Major Shipping Routes in China

Sea shipment is a cost-effective and efficient way to transport cargo from one location to the other.

Shipping routes to aid in shipping and determine the ship routes or lanes for the ships. China is one of the most prominent names when it comes to e-commerce and global trade and it’s growing rapidly.

Furthermore, China has many major shipping ports. Following are some major shipping routes of China that make global trade easy and prove the optimal shipping route for easy and timely shipping.

1. Shipping routes to Japan

China has shipping routes from China to Japan. It takes around 6 to 10 days to ship to Japan from China.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to Eastern and Western Japan include Nagoya, Osaka, Moji, Yokohama, Kobe, and Tokyo.

Furthermore, the Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to Japan Chaoyang, Nyk, Kmtc, Hmm, Cscl, Mol Sitc, Sinokor, and Dongying.

2. Shipping to Russia

China has shipping routes from China to Russia. It approximately takes 8 days to ship to Russia from China.

The package can also arrive earlier in just 4 to 6 days if controls are faster on the Russian border.

Furthermore, One of China’s major shipping lines is operating in Russia. Here are some famous ports that are used to ship cargo from China to Russia: Inchon, Seoul, and Busan.

Some major shipping companies that ship cargo from China to Russia are Sitc, Cscl, Hmm, Dongying, Sinokor, Kmtc, and Chaoyang.

3. Shipping routes from Mainland to Taiwan

China has shipping routes from China to Taiwan. It approximately takes 3 to 4 days to ship to Russia from China.

The cost of shipping depends on the weight of the package and carrier. Also, shipping duration may vary depending on the carrier.

Furthermore, Here are some famous ports that are used to ship cargo from China to Russia: Keelung, Kaohsiung, and Taichung. Some major shipping companies that ship cargo from China to Russia are Dongying, Syms, Sinokor, Cscl, Sitc, Chaoyang, and Kmtc.

4. Shipping routes to Korea

China has shipping routes from China to Korea. The shipping cost is low for the sea freight.

Cargo can be shipped at competitive prices between these two countries via sea shipping. That’s why sea freight is the best option for freight shipping.

Inchon, Busan, and Seoul are some commonly known ports that are generally used in shipping from China to Korea.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to Korea: Hmm, Cscl, Kmtc, Sinokor, Sitc, Dongying, and Chaoyang.

5. Shipping routes to Southeast Asia

China has shipping routes from China to Southeast Asia. Shipping time and shipping cost vary for different shipping companies.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to Southeast Asia include Cebu, Penang, Port Kelang , Singapore, Surabaya, Hochiminh, Manila, and Haiphong.

Furthermore, Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to Southeast Asia: Zim, Esl, Norasia, Cosco, Oocl, Hmm, Nyk, Wanhai, And Apl.

China has shipping routes in the many southeast countries including Indonesia, Laos , Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

6. Shipping routes to India/Pakistan

China has shipping routes from China to India. Shipping time and shipping cost vary for different shipping companies.

Madras, Colombo Calcutta, Karachi, Cochin, Nhava Sheva, Chennai, New Delhi, and Bombay are major ports that are used in shipping from China to India.

Furthermore, Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to India/Pakistan: Rcl, Hmm, Maersk, Ncl, Msc, Esl, Sci, Wanhai, Pil, and Cosco.

Shipping rates can vary, they can be high, low, and medium depending on the shipping company.

Shipping time is also different for different shipping companies; it can be long, less, or medium depending on the shipping company and shipping cost.

7. Shipping to the Mediterranean

China has shipping routes from China to the Mediterranean. Shipping time can vary depending on the shipment, shipping cost, and shipping company.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to the eastern and western Mediterranean include Valencia, Limassol Ashdod, Livorno, Beirut, Barcelona, Naples, Alexandria, and Damietta.

Furthermore, the Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to the Mediterranean Ncl, Emc, Csav, Cosco, Cma, Msc.

These shipping companies offer various packages based on the shipping rate and time including medium, high, and low shipping rates and transit time.

8. Shipping to the Red Sea

China has shipping routes from China to the Red Sea. Shipping time depends on carrier and shipping cost and shipment.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to the Red Sea include Hodeidah, Aqaba, Port Sudan, Sokhna, and Jeddah.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to the Red Sea Emc, Pil, Msc, Apl, and Cosco. Shipping rates and transit times can vary depending on the shipping company.

9. Shipping to the Black Sea

China has shipping routes from China to the Black Sea. Shipping time depends on carrier and shipping cost and shipment.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to the black Sea include Odessa, Constantza, Poti, Burgas, and Novorossiysk.

Furthermore, the Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to the black sea Emc, Msc, Cosco, Apl, Pil, Nyk, Cma, Csav, Zim.

Shipping rates and transit times can vary depending on the shipping company. Shipping rates can be medium, low, and high.

Three packages are available for transmit time: medium, less and long.

10. Shipping to the Middle East

China has shipping routes from China to the Middle East. Shipping time and shipping cost vary for different shipping companies.

Riyadh, Umm Qasar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bandar Abbas, Damman, Kuwait, Salalah, and Doha are major ports that are used in shipping from China to the Middle East.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to the Middle East: Esl, Cosco, Wanhai, Hmm, Zim, Oocl, Rcl, Ncl, Apl, Nyk, Yml, Pil, Msc, and Cscl .

Furthermore, Shipping rates can vary, they can be high, low, and medium depending on the shipping company.

Shipping time is also different for different shipping companies; it can be long, less, or medium depending on the shipping company and shipping cost.

11. Shipping to Europe

China has shipping routes from China to Europe. Shipping time and cost depend on the shipping company and shipment.

Here are some famous ports that are used to ship cargo from China to Europe:

Bremerhaven, Marseilles, Portsmouth, Felixstowe, Southampton, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Zeebrugge, Dublin, Lisbon, Fredrikstad and Stockholm, Hamburg, and Antwerp.

Some major shipping companies that ship the cargo from China to Europe are Apl, Cma, Hmm, Msc, Cscl, Cosco, Kline, Pil, Zim, Wanhai, Misc, and Msk.

12. The shipping route to Africa

China has shipping routes from China to Africa. Shipping time and shipping cost vary for different shipping companies.

Furthermore, Djibouti, Mombasa, Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Tripolily, Mogadiscio, Cotonou, Abidjan, Apapa, Lagos, Matadi, Durban, Cape Town, Maputo, Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi are major ports that are used in shipping from China to Africa.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to Africa: Msc, Delmas, Safmarine, Pil, Maruba, Maersk, Nyk, Esl, and Csav.

Furthermore, Shipping rates can vary, they can be high, low, and medium depending on the shipping company.

Shipping time is also different for different shipping companies; it can be long, less, or medium depending on the shipping company and shipping cost.

13. Shipping to Australia and New Zealand

China has shipping routes from China to Australia and New Zealand. Shipping time can vary depending on the shipment, shipping cost, and shipping company.

Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to Australia and New Zealand include Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Wellington.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to Australia and New Zealand: Cscl, Cosco, Maersk, Pil, Msc, Oocl, Syms, Misc, and Hamburg-Sud.

Furthermore, These shipping companies offer various packages based on the shipping rate and time including medium, high, and low shipping rates and transit time.

14. Shipping to America

China has shipping routes from China to America. Shipping time and duration depend on various factors such as shipping company and shipment.

Furthermore, Some famous ports that are generally used in shipping from China to America include New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Long Beach, Houston, Oakland, Savannah, and Miami.

Following are some of the major shipping companies that ship from China to America: Msc, Ncl, Cma, Mosk, Pil, Emc, Cosco, Hpl, Apl, Zim, Maersk, Hmm, Yml, and Noraisa.

15. Shipping to UAE

Trade between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was quite active in November 2023, with China acquiring $3.04 billion worth of goods from the UAE and exporting $5 billion worth of goods.

Significantly, China’s exports to the United Arab Emirates climbed by $141 million, or 2.91%, from November 2022. Computers, phones, and woven fabric made of synthetic filament yarn were among China’s top exports to the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating the wide range of goods traded between the two nations.

On the other hand, crude oil, petroleum gas, ethylene polymers, and refined petroleum made up the majority of China’s imports from the UAE, demonstrating the importance of the energy sector in bilateral commerce.

Chapter 3: Major types of Maritime Routes

There are various types of Maritime Routes. Maritime Routes are structured and designed in accordance with the type and commercial service.

Major types of maritime routes are Port-to-port, Inter-Range, and Multi-Ranges.

Multi-Ranges has two subcategories including Round-the-world services and the Pendulum route.

Here we have briefly explained the types of the Maritime Routes:

1. Port-to-port

This type of maritime route is used to transmit raw materials like oil, minerals, grain, etc.

It usually represents transmission between extraction zones and main consumption markets.

It involves less regular service between two ports for moving back and forth freight flows.

2. Inter-Range

Inter-range maritime routes involve a regular itinerary of the sequence of ports.

Some of the major poles in the world economy like Western Europe, East Asia, and North America have inter-range ports.

3. Multi-Ranges

The multi-range port has two sub-categories: Round-the-world services and the Pendulum route. It is used for large long-distance maritime services.

• Round-the-world services

Round-the-world services refer to services that call a sequence of ports in both directions.

This sequence includes a circum-equatorial trip around the world. This only applies to container shipping and entails a network of transshipment hubs where regional freight is collected.

• Pendulum route

Pendulum route is a service that includes maritime service that covers three ranges. Pendulum service entails calling a sequence of ports in Europe, East Asia, and South Asia.

Chapter 4: Things to keep in mind regarding a shipping carrier

The following are things that should be considered regarding shipping carriers.

1. Cost of the carrier and the service that is being offered

The shipping cost of the carrier is a major aspect. It is important to keep this aspect in mind and compare the cost to the service that is being offered.

It is important to set a proper budget to keep the expenses in check-in and in order to optimize profitability.

Furthermore, Quality of the services and delivery time should be considered as well. If you are selected a cheaper company then it might result in delayed delivery and incompetent service.

Carefully consider all these aspects and choose an option that fulfills all the requirements.

2. Real-time tracking and safety

Real-time tracking is a way to track the shipment. It gives visibility regarding the expected arrival time and shipping routes.

It also ensures the safety of the cargo as it provides the customer an option to review their cargo.

3. Shipping carrier type and sustainability

There are two major types of shipping carriers: Asset-based carriers and non-asset-based carriers.

You can choose the types of shipping carrier depending on the service you need.

Furthermore, Shipping carriers should follow sustainability practices in the global climate.

Environmental consciousness has become a major point of concern now. Opt for a shipping carrier that values sustainability.

4. Sipping routes

Shipping routes refer to the shipping route taken by the ship for shipping. Selecting optimal shipping routes can result in saving costs and faster delivery.

Opt for a shipping service that follows optimal shipping routes so you can cost-effectively deliver your cargo.

It will also help in the speedy delivery of the cargo. In the previous chapter, we have provided details of the main shipping routes from China to other major countries.

Chapter 5. Main Shipping Ports of China

China has a long coastline that is home to a large number of different-sized ports and harbors. Three of these are particularly notable as significant maritime hubs that are essential to world trade.

1. Port of Shanghai:

With a noteworthy 3.6% rise in container volumes, the Port of Shanghai maintained its status as the busiest container port in the world in 2023.

Furthermore, Shanghai’s port handled more than 49 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2023, a considerable increase from the year before, maintaining its position as the busiest port in the world.

With 700 ports spread across more than 200 nations and regions globally, its vast container routes enable more than 320 weekly deliveries.

2. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan:

This port complex, which includes the ports of Ningbo and Zhoushan, is located on Hangzhou Bay’s eastern coast next to Shanghai. It functions as a flexible, multi-use port with links to 90 countries and 560 ports globally.

Of its over 200 berths, about 40 can handle ships larger than 10,000 DWT (Deadweight Tonnage). Notably, the port handled over 35.05 million standard containers in 2023, a notable year-on-year gain of 5.5% that cemented its ranking as the third busiest port in the world, behind Singapore and Shanghai.

3. Port of Shenzhen:

Located in the Pearl River Delta in China’s Guangdong Province, the Port of Shenzhen is the country’s second-largest cargo port by volume and third in the world.

Furthermore, Shenzhen, which spans 260 kilometers and has multiple ports, is an important port for international trade, handling a significant amount of goods.

It is noteworthy for serving as a feeder port for more than 50 international shipping lines and ocean carriers, running over 130 international routes, and receiving close to 10,000 boats a year.

Chapter 6: FAQs About Shipping Route

Conclusion

Shipping routes are shipping lanes or shipping or sea roads/lanes that are followed by the ships.

Shipping routes are similar to the highways or roads they determine the path taken by the ship to move the cargo from one location to another.

China is considered a hub of e-commerce and world trade and has many major shipping routes from China to other countries.

These routes are used to move cargo between China and other global countries. Selecting an optimal shipping route can result in timely and cost-effective delivery.

Furthermore, Shipping routes are also monitored and there are Maritime laws to make sure that everything works smoothly without breaking the laws.Subscribe and Stay Updated