A ceremony was held recently at the Qingdao Port, marking a new ship beginning service between Qingdao and Kunsan of Korea. The international scheduled passenger-cargo liner, New Qingdao, then started its premier trip from Qingdao to Kunsan, South Korea.

       Kim Sunhyung, consul general from the Korean consulate in Qingdao attended the celebration. With the gross tonnage exceeding 16,000 tons, the 160 meters long New Qingdao has 73 passenger compartments and can accommodate 750 passengers, 400 more than the previous liner. It can greatly ease the traffic tension between the two cities. The route between Qingdao and Kunsan has been Qingdao's second international passenger and cargo line. Ever since its being put into service at the end of 2004, trade and personnel exchange between the two have become increasingly frequent, resulting in the shortage of shipping capacity. The operation of New Qingdao means the international liner will shuttle three times, instead of once a week between the two ports, shortening transit time from 18 hours to within 16 hours.