A new direct container route from Dalian, Liaoning province, to the Middle East opened on Tuesday, becoming the first direct container route between the two regions.

Launched by Liaoning Port Group and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the new route will deploy eight container ships with capacities ranging from 20,000 to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). It will provide direct access to major ports in India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and other Middle Eastern nations, shortening the voyage by at least 10 days compared with conventional routes.

"This is a key strategic move for both Liaoning Port and MSC to expand our ocean-going routes and deeply cultivate the hinterland cargo market in the Middle East," said Li Guofeng, CEO of Liaoning Port Group.

"It is also an important measure to leverage our port advantages in serving the opening-up of Northeast China," he said.

As an important industrial base and major grain-producing region, Northeast China boasts competitive industries in equipment manufacturing, petrochemicals, agricultural processing, and auto parts.

As of now, there are a total of 106 container routes, including 93 international services, connecting port city Dalian with more than 300 ports in 160 countries and regions.