HAIKOU /China/, September 21. /TASS/. The southern Chinese province of Hainan is actively working on the development of the first direct shipping route connecting the island with countries in the Middle East, Hainan Daily reported.

According to the newspaper, the new route will make it possible to deliver goods to the Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates in just 12 days. Previously, the article noted, deliveries went through the city of Shenzhen (Guangdong Province, South China) and Hong Kong, taking 22 to 25 days. The changes have helped to significantly reduce transportation and logistics costs and intensify trade and economic contacts with Middle Eastern countries.

Zhang Jinbo, head of the supply chain management service at Hainan Jinhongye, a pulp and paper manufacturer, said his company exports more than 1,000 tons of raw materials every month. According to the businessman's calculations, by shipping directly to the UAE for five months, this trading company saved more than 1 million yuan (about $140,000 at the current exchange rate) in transportation costs.

Representatives of other companies interviewed by the publication confirmed that the route has reduced their logistics costs by about 10%. Similar direct trade routes are expected to connect Yangpu Port with Southeast Asian countries. As a result, the role of this hub will continue to grow.

According to official data, Yangpu has opened 48 trade routes in the past 5 years, including 25 international routes. A modern shipping network is being created that will allow goods to be quickly delivered from the island to various parts of the world. The newspaper noted that this will create even more favorable conditions for the development and modernization of Hainan Free Trade Port.

The first direct shipping route between Hainan and the Middle East opened in April. It connects the deep-water port of Yangpu on the province's west coast with Abu Dhabi.