At 10:00 AM on September 28, China's first dedicated roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) car carrier service to Australia and New Zealand officially commenced operations at Shanghai's Nangang Port. The inaugural vessel, the Viking Emerald (flagged in the Marshall Islands), transported 2,330 new energy vehicles from brands including Chery and Great Wall, along with a small quantity of construction machinery, bound for three major Australian ports.

The new route launches amid rapid growth in China-Australia new energy vehicle trade. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently set a 2025 sales target of 15.5 million new energy vehicles, while the Australian government has introduced multiple supportive policies—including a 30% new energy vehicle market share target by 2030 and charging infrastructure expansion plans.

Data shows sustained growth in Australia's new energy vehicle sales during the first half of 2025, with Chinese brands capturing significant market share through competitive pricing and performance. Compared to the chartered vessel trial in 2023, this regular container service reduces transit time to under 14 days, significantly boosting transportation efficiency.

To ensure a smooth maiden voyage, the Yangshan Port Immigration Inspection Station processed pre-clearance procedures through the “Single Window for International Trade” platform and implemented a “tripartite coordination mechanism” to efficiently complete crew changes and other operations.