Direct container shipping route connects Qingdao and South Korea's Jeju

A drone photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows the "SMC RIZHAO" ship performing the maiden voyage of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

QINGDAO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A regular direct container shipping route between Qingdao and South Korea's Jeju was launched on Thursday. This express shipping route will operate once a week in its initial stage, significantly enhancing the logistics efficiency between the two places, effectively reducing logistics costs, and further densifying the shipping network of east China's Shandong Province to South Korea.

A launch ceremony of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route is held at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows the "SMC RIZHAO" ship performing the maiden voyage of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Crew members of the "SMC RIZHAO" ship performing the maiden voyage of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route line up on the deck at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows the "SMC RIZHAO" ship performing the maiden voyage of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows the "SMC RIZHAO" ship performing the maiden voyage of the Qingdao-Jeju container shipping route berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)