- China’s Silk Road Maritime Transport initiative has opened 128 shipping routes since its inception in December 2018.
- As of July 2025, over 20,000 container ships have operated along these routes, handling nearly 24 million TEUs in cargo throughput.
- The Port of Xiamen plays a central role, acting as a departure hub for more than half of the established maritime routes under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Silk Road Maritime Transport, a key international shipping platform supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has marked significant expansion. According to data released by Xiamen Customs and reported by China Central Television (CCTV), a total of 128 dedicated shipping routes had been launched by the end of July 2025 since the platform was inaugurated in December 2018, according to ZAWYA.
Robust Cargo Movement and Trade Connectivity
The initiative has facilitated the movement of 20,293 container ships, contributing to a combined cargo throughput of approximately 23.92 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This underscores the platform’s growing significance in enhancing global maritime trade connectivity and improving logistical efficiency across key international corridors.
Xiamen Port as a Central Maritime Gateway
Situated in eastern China’s Fujian Province, the Port of Xiamen continues to play a vital role in the development of the Silk Road Maritime Transport network. It currently serves as the departure port for 61 of the initiative’s active shipping routes, positioning itself as a strategic hub linking China with Belt and Road partner countries.
Driving Regional and Global Economic Integration
The Silk Road Maritime Transport project not only bolsters China’s foreign trade capacity but also advances regional cooperation and integration through streamlined maritime logistics. As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to evolve, the expansion of these maritime routes is expected to further strengthen economic ties between China and participating nations, while supporting sustainable global shipping practices.
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Source: ZAWYA
