JadeWeserPort becomes a strategic hub for the world’s largest port in China
Wilhelmshaven / Ningbo (China), 30 October 2024 – JadeWeserPort has attracted a significant new business partner: a subsidiary of the Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, the operator of the world’s largest port in terms of its total turnover, has launched business operations at JadeWeserPort. As the first lessee at the new logistics centre in the Freight Village, this decision sends a strong message regarding the strategic importance of Germany’s only deep-water container port as a European logistics hub.
Marc-Oliver Hauswald, the Managing Director of Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort-Marketing GmbH & Co. KG, explains the development. “We’d like to congratulate P3 Logistic Parks, the lessor of the logistics facility that provides 31,700 square metres of space, and Zhejiang Seaport (Germany) Supply Chain Management on reaching this milestone. The signing of the agreement underlines the growing importance of JadeWeserPort as a central hub in international trade.”
Sönke Kewitz, the Managing Director of P3 Germany, adds, “Attracting Zhejiang Seaport to the site sends a strong signal for JadeWeserPort and the entire region. This project is not only enabling us to create new jobs, but is also strengthening Germany’s importance as a hub in the international movement of goods. We’re proud to be supporting this company in the expansion of its European business activities.”
Thanks to this partnership, the parent company, Zhejiang Seaport, will market JadeWeserPort as a “sister port”. This puts it on a par with top global ports such as Ningbo Zhoushan, Antwerp and Houston. Marc-Oliver Hauswald adds, “Our Chinese partners are pursuing a long-term strategy and view the enormous potential that JadeWeserPort has to become the leading European handling centre for Asian goods. The port could also take on a key role in trade with the USA in future.”
Zhejiang Seaport is planning to expand its presence at JadeWeserPort as part of the New Silk Road project. The aim is to further develop the movement of goods between China and Europe and strengthen economic relations in the long term. The decision in favour of this site is not only based on its excellent connections with destinations further inland and the availability of logistics space, but also on the growing importance of Wilhelmshaven as Germany’s future energy hub. The favourable energy conditions make the site attractive for international companies, which are settling there and want to expand their production.
The cooperation between JadeWeserPort and China will move up another gear from 2025 onwards. Firstly, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are planning to introduce the new NE1 scheduled service, which will create a direct shipping route between Wilhelmshaven and Ningbo, as part of the Gemini Cooperation network. Secondly, Ningbo Ports is planning to achieve transfer times of 26 days with its own direct services to Wilhelmshaven. This traffic will strengthen the logistical connectivity between Europe and China in the long term and open up new opportunities for growth at JadeWeserPort.
