Da Nang-Kawasaki shipping route set to be opened

A shipping route connecting Da Nang and Kawasaki in Japan via Shanghai,China will launch on January 28, General Director of Da Nang port NguyenThu has told Vietnam News.

"The route will promote tradingfrom Vietnam's central region with cargo ships from Thailand, Myanmar,Laos and Vietnam via the East-West Economic Corridor to Kawasaki andShanghai," Thu said on January 24.

"It means that Da NangPort will host cargo ships this year. As scheduled, the route will helptransport an average of 200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) perweek," he said.

The beginning of ships traveling on the cargoroute marks the 20th anniversary of friendship established between DaNang and Kawasaki Port.

Da Nang Port handled a record 5 million tonnes of cargo in 2013, including 167,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit).

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Vietnam had agreedto provide financial aid to Lien Chieu Port and Tien Sa Port in Da Nangfor the second phase of construction.

Tien Sa port onlyallows access to 30,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) ships, while 50,000 DWTcontainer ships can dock at Lien Chieu.-VNA