The annual shipment volume of Yantai Port's China-Africa general cargo liner surpasses 5 million metric tons. [Photo/VCG]

The cargo ship Jin Ao departed from Yantai Port, East China's Shandong province, to Nigeria's Onne Port on Dec 12, carrying over 20,000 metric tons of refinery equipment, construction materials, and vehicles. This marked the annual shipment volume of the China-Africa general cargo liner from the port exceeding 5 million tons, setting a new record and boosting trade cooperation between the two regions.

In recent years, with the growing global influence of "China manufacturing" and "China projects" in infrastructure, Africa has become a key market for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas.

As a base for general cargo in Shandong and a logistics hub in northern China, Yantai Port is among the 15 key ports of the Belt and Road Initiative and ranks as China's top port for Africa trade. The port has built a cargo liner network reaching more than 20 African countries and regions, including Guinea, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, and Namibia. It currently ships over 200 categories of goods, from project materials to agricultural fertilizers, bridging Sino-African economic cooperation.

In terms of policies, Yantai Port has collaborated with various port authorities to integrate services and amplify the benefits of the port, free trade, and bonded policies. It provides comprehensive services for a range of non-standard general cargo.

Additionally, Yantai Port opened four new general cargo routes to Cuba, Vietnam, and Tanzania this year, achieving a global network with 30 liner routes covering Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe. The annual general cargo volume is expected to exceed 16 million tons, cementing its position in China's top tier of ports.