The ship Occitan Pessac is loaded with cargo at a wharf in the Zhoushan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone located in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

Maltese cargo ship Occitan Pessac was loaded with over 1,400 metric tons of container goods and more than 600 tons of rolled steel and rebar at a wharf in the Zhoushan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone on Sept 13.

The ship is scheduled to depart from Zhoushan at 2 pm on Sept 14, heading for Guyana and Suriname in South America and marking the launch of the first direct shipping route from Zhejiang province to the two countries.

Previously, goods from Yiwu, Zhejiang, destined for Guyana, Suriname, and other Caribbean regions had to be transshipped internationally, resulting in a journey of more than 100 days. The new route will reduce the travel time to approximately 45 days, significantly lowering logistics and time costs for businesses.

"Leveraging our terminal's unique multimodal transport capabilities and strategic location, this new route will enhance international trade cooperation and provide Chinese enterprises in Guyana and Suriname with more essential production and living supplies, contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative," said Shen Xiaoming, production manager of Zhoushan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone Wharf Co.

The new route from Zhoushan to Guyana and Suriname will operate on a monthly schedule.