Shenzhen's SCT welcomes its first Taiwan direct call

Shenzhen's Shekou Container Terminal has received the first vessel of cross-strait direct shipping and held a ceremony to mark the historic occasion.

The maiden call was made by China Shipping's 8,500-TEUs New Africa, which is one of its newly-deployed ships. The vessel docked at SCT's new No 8 berth.

Over a third of the lines calling at SCT operate to Taiwan. Cross-strait direct shipping is expected to benefit SCT shippers by reducing sailing distance, transshipment time and costs.

Source: Shipping Gazette News (20 Dec 2008)