Tianjin Port Launches First Direct Shipping Route to South Africa

A report from en.tj.gov.cn Apr. 20th, 2026：

The container vesselMSC Melsan departs from Tianjin. [Photo/Jinyun App]

Tianjin Port launched its first direct shipping route to South Africa on April 18 as the container vessel MSC Melsan, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company, departed from Tianjin, carrying industrial raw materials and manufactured goods bound for ports such as Coega and Durban.

The new route deploys 12 large container ships with a capacity of 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each, offering weekly services. The voyage from Tianjin to South Africa now takes as little as 40 days, significantly improving efficiency.

Previously, shipments required two to three transshipments via hubs such as Busan and Singapore, adding time and costs. The direct route cuts transit time by at least 10 days, improving cargo turnover efficiency and enhancing the international competitiveness of importers and exporters.

To support the launch, Tianjin Customs streamlined procedures, introducing paperless processing for vessel declarations and cargo clearance, alongside smart supervision systems to reduce turnaround times. Coordinated efforts among port authorities, shipping firms, and inspection agencies further ensured a smooth maiden voyage.

The route comes amid strong trade momentum between China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Africa. In the first quarter, the region's trade with Africa reached 95.95 billion yuan ($14.07 billion), up 16.8 percent year-on-year, with Tianjin alone recording a remarkable 73.5 percent increase.