First cargo ship returns to China from Chancay Port in landmark voyage

The first ship to complete the two-way voyage along the sea link between Shanghai and Chancay Port in Peru returned to China on Wednesday, marking the opening of the new route that greatly shortens transit time and cuts logistical costs between China and Latin America.

Loaded with 20,000 tons of Peruvian fruits such as blueberries, avocados, grapes and mangoes, the China COSCO Shipping-operated "Xin Shanghai" container ship arrived at the Yangshan Port in Shanghai after a 23-day journey from Chancay Port.

Witnessed by the leaders of the two countries, Chancay Port, built by Chinese companies, officially opened in Peru last month.

In the past, cargo needed to be transported via Callao Port in Peru, and transit took over a month. Chancay Port drastically shortens the transit time and cuts logistical costs by 20 percent.

The ship carries 4,300 containers of cargo, including more than 150 refrigerated containers with over 3,000 tons of fruit including blueberries, avocados and grapes. Agricultural products of this kind require quicker customs clearance and immigration inspection procedures.

"We strengthened our communications with border inspections, port and ship agents before the ship was berthed. We've conducted pre-inspection procedures and boarding procedures for operating personnel via our single window and online platforms," said Fan Yong, a staff member of the Yangshan Immigration Inspection Station.

The destination of these containers covers more than Shanghai. Some will head to Hong Kong and other Chinese cities, while others will go to Southeast Asia.

"The cargo is on the ship and we'll ship everything to its final destination via our service network in a safe way," said Chen Xiaochen, section manager of the Latin America and Africa Trade Division under the COSCO Shipping Lines.

Yan Shuang, captain of the Xin Shanghai Ship, said he was proud to complete the historic voyage.

"I am indeed very happy. I'm very honored to become the first captain to sail the ship along such an important route. I'm very happy," he said.

There is currently one ship operating every week along the route, but COSCO shipping says it will increase the frequency in the future to strengthen trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

First cargo ship returns to China from Chancay Port in landmark voyage

Spanish health authorities on Friday identified a second monitored contact linked to the hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius after tracing a woman living in Catalonia who had shared a flight with a Dutch traveler died from the virus.

Spain's Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies said the woman is asymptomatic and was initially missed during contact tracing because of a seat change on the aircraft.

According to health authorities, the woman now meets the criteria for monitored contact under a newly approved national surveillance protocol and will remain under medical observation.

This came after the suspected case of hantavirus detected in Alicante. Spanish Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said on Friday that the health authorities had taken relevant measures.

In addition, Padilla confirmed that all 14 Spanish passengers aboard the MV Hondius had agreed to undergo voluntary quarantine measures in order to minimize the risk of further transmission.

The Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship, currently heading toward Spain's Canary Islands, has so far been linked to three deaths.

Padilla said a team from the Spanish Health Ministry would travel to Tenerife on Saturday ahead of the ship's expected arrival on Sunday.

Passengers are expected to disembark by small boats before being transferred under strict isolation measures. Spanish citizens aboard the vessel will be transported to Madrid for quarantine observation.

The British Health Security Agency announced Friday that a suspected hantavirus case has been detected on the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, linked to the ongoing outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.

The vessel stopped at Tristan da Cunha between April 13 and 15.

Spain identifies second suspected hantavirus case linked to cruise ship outbreak