Zim Israel Navigation Co has started a weekly Asia-Mediterranean service from Shenzhen's Shekou Container Terminal (SCT).
China's Ministry of Communications approved the service after successful trial runs since December.
SCT general manager Chris Langford said: 'Shekou is becoming an increasingly important transshipment centre for cargoes from South China bound for Asia and Europe.' Zim Israel Navigation, one of the world's largest container lines, serves the Asian-Mediterranean trade with 10 2,200 to 2,800-teu (20 ft equivalent units) vessels.
The service starts at Shekou each Friday and proceeds to Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Port Said, Haifa, Alexandria, Ravenna, Venice, Trieste, Koper, Haifa and Pusan.
Separately, Mr Langford said SCT and Wharf Holdings' Modern Terminals (MTL) had yet to reach agreement on MTL's planned takeover of the port's management from P&O Ports.
MTL spokesman Mike Trueman declined to confirm or deny speculation of a May 1 takeover of the SCT management by MTL.