The Kawa Ningbo docks at the Chuanshan Port Area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The Kawa Ningbo carrying 325 natural containers of lithium batteries, set sail from Chuanshan Port Area at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on March 3, marking the first shipment of lithium batteries this year.

This voyage follows the maiden journey on Dec 30, 2024, where the Ningbo to Europe route set a record of 26 days to Wilhelmshaven, Germany, reducing shipping time by 12 days.

The "point-to-point" directness of this voyage streamlines transshipment procedures, ensuring efficient transportation. During its maiden voyage, the Kawa Ningbo demonstrated the feasibility of a new logistics channel between Asia and Europe, providing a faster overseas route for foreign trade companies in the Yangtze River Delta region.

With a maximum capacity of 400 natural containers, the ship plans to establish a regular monthly operation between Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and Wilhelmshaven.

Future plans include using Wilhelmshaven as a distribution hub that covers Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, and overland to key countries in Northwest and Central Eastern Europe, with the entire journey taking just 30 days. 

To meet market demand, the Kawa Wilhelm is scheduled to begin operations at the end of March, sailing in parallel with the Kawa Ningbo to establish a regular monthly service on the route.