Dalian's opening-up empowers global connectivity

Updated: 2026-06-17

The opening of the "Dalian-Middle East" container shipping route and the signing of the "Shanghai-Liaoning Express" strategic cooperation agreement were held at Dalian Container Terminal on May 26.

The "Dalian-Middle East" route is designed to deploy eight vessels with capacities ranging from 20,000 to 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), connecting major ports in India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and other countries.

This fills gaps in direct shipping services from Dalian Port to the Middle East, establishing an efficient and convenient maritime corridor for exporting advantageous products such as grain, chemical products, electromechanical equipment, and auto parts from the northeastern hinterland.

The "Shanghai-Liaoning Express" strategic cooperation framework agreement, based on the existing "Yingkou-Dalian-Shanghai" domestic trade route, involves Liaoning Port Co, Shanghai International Port Co, and Antong Holdings Co in building an efficient north-south logistics corridor.

Since its establishment, the Dalian Free Trade Zone has achieved more than 800 institutional innovations, including 112 that focus on resolving bottlenecks in industrial development and the actual needs of enterprises implemented in 2025. 

Of these, the "New mechanism for supervision services of maritime grain transport" and the "Actively participating in the formulation of international maritime transport rules to promote Chinese standards going global" were selected as "Best Practice Cases" by the Ministry of Commerce, with 13 others selected as provincial replication and promotion cases.