COSCO Shipping has launched a direct shipping route connecting Fuzhou with the Persian Gulf, marking a new export channel for Chinese automotive manufacturers seeking to access Middle Eastern markets.

The Orchid Leader, operated by Guangzhou Yuanhai Auto Carrier — a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Specialised Carriers — docked at Fuzhou Port's Jiangyin Port area on October 1, carrying 1,697 vehicles produced by local manufacturers.

The vessel will transport the cargo directly to countries including the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait along what COSCO Shipping describes as the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" route.

According to the company, the Orchid Leader is the largest dual-fuel car carrier to berth at Fuzhou Port since ro-ro operations began. The vessel has a capacity of 7,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) and can accommodate various vehicle types and MAFI cargo for oversized or high-value goods.

The Orchid Leader operates on an LNG dual-fuel power system, which COSCO Shipping notes aligns with the environmental positioning of automotive brands such as Jetour Auto.

The shipper says its "door-to-door" service has reduced logistics timeframes by nearly 50% compared to previous routing options, creating what it describes as seamless connections from factory to destination port.