China’s Silk Road Maritime network expands with faster routes and lower logistics costs

China’s Silk Road Maritime logistics network has expanded to 148 routes from more than 10 Chinese ports, linking 150 ports across 48 countries and regions, according to figures published by People’s Daily. The platform, launched in Fujian in 2018, is designed to integrate port, shipping and trade services across a broader maritime network.

The report said a recently launched container service from Fujian to Latin America has reduced sailing time by more than seven days. By February 2026, cross-border e-commerce cargo moved on dedicated express services had generated export value of more than 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion), while bulk and breakbulk routes had handled cargo worth more than 32 billion yuan.

Part of the expansion has centered on short-sea and regional e-commerce services. At Xiamen Port, the network has added direct express routes to ports in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, aimed at handling smaller, time-sensitive shipments more efficiently than traditional consolidation models.

According to the report, Xiamen has also introduced a mixed-container model that allows e-commerce parcels and general trade cargo to move in the same container. Customs officials cited in the article said the approach has reduced logistics time by 25% to 50% and could lower shipment costs by 10% to 25%, while one shipper said each container could save about 4,000 yuan.

The network has also added digital and operational support tools, including real-time container tracking, route planning systems and a meteorological navigation service. In one example cited by the report, a vessel sailing from Penang to Nansha used the weather-routing service to avoid a 12-hour delay and save 10 tons of fuel during a typhoon threat.

Silk Road Maritime has continued to expand its institutional base as well. At its annual meeting in Nanning on March 26, eight new members joined the association behind the platform, bringing total membership to 375, the report said.

Source: People’s Daily Online

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