A first: Same ship bringing cargo from Brazil to Zhuhai

The fully loaded Chinese vessel Tian Qi left the Port of Vitoria in Espírito Santo, Brazil on July 1 with 35,000 tons of granite and is due to arrive at Gaolan Port without transshipment -- the first-ever marine cargo to travel in one ship between the two locations.

As of July 3, the Tian Qi was listed as due in Singapore on Aug 1 (en route to Gaolan).

This breakthrough will position Vitoria and Gaolan as feeder ports and promote Zhuhai as a transit depot for trade between China and Brazil, according to Zhuhai Port authorities.

This achievement not only facilitates the opening of more international sea routes from Gaolan, but also improves port throughput and scale. It can further propel rapid economic growth of both the Gaolan Port Economic Zone and Zhuhai, said a port officer.

Chinese vessel at Port of Vitoria Espírito Santo [Photo courtesy oglobo.globo.com]

Moreover, it boosts logistics cooperation between Brazil and China as well as implementation of the Belt & Road Initiative.

Zhuhai Port is also planning upgrades on its ships to adapt to transportation of various cargos. They anticipate that cooperation with the Port of Vitoria will bring more Brazilian port partners.

According to the local government, Zhuhai established a leadership group in charge of China-Brazil cooperative projects in early 2010, primarily promoting cross-border e-commerce and service trade.

Zhuhai signed a letter of intent with Espírito Santo capital Vitoria in June 2015, becoming the venue of an integration project of China-Brazil cross-border e-commerce and service trade. The direct link was finalized in February when a delegation from the Brazilian Association of Port & Waterway Entities visited Zhuhai.