Global shipping giants launch giant vessel, fast routes from Shanghai’s port

Launching giant container ship and high-frequency direct routes, global shipping giants are taking concrete actions to fully make use of the advanced Shanghai Port's hub function.

The world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ship, the CMA CGM Notre Dame, departed from Shanghai Yangshan Port on its maiden voyage on Sunday, serving the China-Europe route.

The giant vessel measures 400 meters in length and has a full load capacity up to 24,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs).

This time, it was loaded with 9,350 TEUs at Yangshan Port, carrying Chinese-made electric vehicles and energy storage cabinets to Europe.

"The route served by the CMA CGM Notre Dame is an important passage connecting China and Europe. Shanghai Port plays a key hub role on this route," said Gu Haoyu, Chief Operating Officer of CMA CGM China.

The U.S. West Coast service of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited also made its maiden voyage from Yangshan Port on last Thursday.

China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited has launched 14 new direct routes from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast, offering the fastest delivery service from Shanghai to Seattle in 18 days.

The maiden voyage vessel, the Xin Shantou, loaded with 1,336 TEUs, is heading to North America.

As global shipping giants including COSCO Shipping and CMA CGM continue to call at Shanghai with ultra-large vessels, the Yangshan Port has become one of the world's most route-intensive and efficient core hubs.

"From January to April, Shanghai Port handled a total of 18.959 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 7 percent. CMA CGM handled 1.685 million TEUs at Shanghai Port, up 12.9 percent year on year. This fully demonstrates that CMA CGM highly recognizes Shanghai Port's hub function," said Yang Yanbin, Deputy General Manager of the Production and Business Department of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd.

Global shipping giants launch giant vessel, fast routes from Shanghai’s port

Visitors can now experience firsthand how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping future lifestyles at the newly opened AI Matrix Store "MetAI Hub" in Shanghai's Zhangjiang AI Innovation Town.

Opened on May 11, the nearly 2,000-square-meter space features more than 500 AI products from 100 brands. Unlike traditional "display-only" technology venues, the store encourages visitors to touch, test, and interact with the latest AI products.

The store houses six themed zones, including a curated product space, makers' workshops, and an AI health area. One of the most popular attractions is an AI health screening system that generates a rapid health assessment report within 90 seconds using non-contact sensing technology.

The store also functions as a makerspace for innovators, helping startups test products in real-life scenarios and shorten the time it takes to turn a concept into reality.

"Here we can see the advanced processing equipment, including 3D printer and laser engraver. We also have a highly experienced technical team that helps One-Person Companies quickly bring their ideas to life and conduct model testing," said Lan Chaoxiang, head of the Maker Area of MetAI Hub.

In addition, the AI Matrix Store aims to serve as a global launch platform for AI products and a gateway for startups expanding overseas.

"When their products are still in the prototype stage, we will build a complete funding mechanism for producers, allowing many global geeks to get a sneak peek. We also hope to combine online and offline channels for this overseas expansion platform," said Zhao Tongyang, an executive at the store.

Zhao said the store will be developed into an AI ecosystem center rather than a traditional retail outlet, combining experience, commerce, incubation, and social interaction.

Visitors explore future lifestyles at newly opened AI store in Shanghai