On December 24th, four vessels from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) successfully berthed the same time at the Qingdao Port's Front Bay Phase III Terminal in Qingdao, Shandong. These four vessels, each belonging to one ofSC's four major premium routes, outlined the unique profile of the "Maritime Silk Road."

The four vessels that berthed during this concentrated period and their routes are as follows: MSC RIFAYA (GJ551W) from the JADE route, MSC MARIE (GL551W) from LION route, MSC SHINA V (KQ551A) from the PANDA route, and MSC JASMINE X (UK54A) from the CHINOOKC route.

These four premium routes are like four busy trade arteries, spanning the main trading regions of Asia, Europe, and America and are able to fully meet the diverse transportation needs of customers, effectively promoting the deep integration and efficient operation of regional industrial chains and global supply chains.

The concentrated berthing the four vessels is not only a vivid reflection of the close cooperation between MSC and the Port of Qingdao but also brings more flexible and efficient transportation options to customers in northern market, injecting new vitality into the prosperous development of regional trade.

MSC has always attached great importance to its cooperation with the Port of Qingdao During his visit to China in 2023, CEO Soren Toft made a special trip to Qingdao and had an in-depth meeting with senior leaders Shandong Port Group. The two sides signed a comprehensive cooperation framework agreement aimed at jointly building the Port of Shandong into a leading international shipping hub in Northeast Asia.

Since the signing of the agreement, MSC has taken active actions, continuously launching new routes and optimizing and upgrading existing routes, integrating the Port of Qingdao into its transportation network. The dimensions of cooperation between the two sides have been expanding, and the level of cooperation has been continuously improving. In 2025, the annual container volume MSC at the Port of Qingdao increased by more than 25% compared to the same period, which fully demonstrates the fruitful results of the cooperation between the two.

In terms of route layout, in May 2025, MSC launched the Clanga route connecting the Middle East and South Asia, and chose to call the Port of Qingdao for its maiden voyage, which fully demonstrates the Port of Qingdao's important strategic position in regional transshipment transportation. In of the same year, MSC also launched the Sambar Asian inland route, and the Port of Qingdao once again became an important node of this route, consolidating its key role as a shipping hub.

In addition, in 2024, MSC established a branch office in Xi'an and launched a searail intermodal service connecting Xi'an and Qingdao. This innovative move not only strengthened the connection between inland areas and coastal ports but also reinforced the Port of Qdao's important function as an inland export gateway, providing more convenient and efficient channels for the export of goods from inland areas.

With its global transportation network unique shipping capacity advantage, MSC will continue to deepen cooperation with ports in China, such as the Port of Qingdao, innovate service models, and provide more and flexible transportation solutions.