The liner ship Aglaia arrives at Guangzhou Port. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

The liner Aglaia arrived at the second phase of Nansha Port on Oct 5, marking the official start of operations of the Commodity Marketing Excellence (CME) Asian shipping line.

The CME shipping line, jointly operated by four companies including China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited and Yangming Marine Transport Corporation, will connect ports in Shanghai, Fujian's Xiamen, Guangdong's Shekou and Guangzhou, and Singapore, as well as Malaysia's Klang, Penang and Pasir Gudang.

The operation of the new shipping line has increased the overall number of foreign trade liner shipping lines at Guangzhou Port to 120.

It is expected to help local companies in Guangzhou seek more business opportunities with Malaysia and further meet the increasing export demands to Malaysia in areas such as clothing and home appliances as well as import demands for wood and recycled pulp.

Guangzhou Port has devoted continuous efforts to create a better business environment for foreign trade clearance with stronger competitiveness during 2020, and it has opened nine new international container liner shipping lines this year.

At present, Guangzhou Port has 22 shipping lines to Africa, covering almost all the major ports in East Africa, West Africa and South Africa, the most in the South China region. Meanwhile, the number of shipping lines to countries and regions alongside the Belt and Road exceeds 100.