A Liberian vessel named Huang He Hao, carrying over 4,000 vehicles and spare parts, set sail from Shanghai Nangang Terminal heading for Chancay Port in Peru. This departure signifies the start of a direct shipping route between the two ports, creating a new channel for exporting Chinese-made automobiles to the Latin American market.

Huang He Hao docks at Shanghai Nangang Terminal for loading and unloading. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Latin America, with its favorable climate for new energy vehicles (NEVs) compared to colder regions like Europe, North America, and Russia, has become an attractive market for Chinese automakers. In 2024, China's bus exports reached nearly 62,000 units, marking a historic high with a year-on-year increase of over 40 percent.

The Huang He Hao, a roll-on/roll-off vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel, has a capacity of 7,000 cars and 12 decks. At Nangang, it loaded over 3,800 new energy passenger cars, 75 Chinese-made new energy buses, 65 engineering vehicles, and spare parts, while unloading a helicopter and its components.

Border inspection officials check the helicopter unloaded from Huang He Hao. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Despite temperatures soaring to 38°C at the terminal, operations continued smoothly. To maintain efficiency, the port increased nighttime operations during peak shipping seasons from May to August. Border inspection authorities also used digital platforms to streamline customs clearance, reducing the need for physical visits by businesses and individuals.