Mike King, Special Correspondent | Mar 09, 2012 11:01AM EST
The first roll-on, roll-off service between Taiwan and mainland China is now operating, signalling further liberalization of transport across the Taiwan Straits.
The Cosco Star sailed from the Port of Xiamen in Fujian province on Thursday carrying heavy industrial vehicles, including a Caterpillar excavator.
Direct cross-Straits cargo flights and shipping between the mainland and Taiwan have only been allowed since 2008 because of security reasons. Previously, flights and most ships had to detour via Hong Kong or Japan.
"It is a major breakthrough for vehicle transportation across the Taiwan Straits," said Andrew Hu, a deputy general manager at operator Cosco Xiamen International Freight. "We expect that Taiwan authorities will allow more types of vehicles to be transported through the shipping line, such as private cars.”
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.
