On April 3, the cargo vessel Yuntong 401 set sail from Pingtan, an island off China's southeastern coast, towing two unpowered ships bound for Cambodia's Sihanoukville port. The departure marked the official launch of the first direct cargo route between Pingtan and Sihanoukville.

The two transported vessels—Tianyuan No. 3 and Yinnating—are slated for deployment in a sand backfilling project in Cambodia's Kampot province.

"This maiden voyage is a milestone in expanding our port's international reach," said an official from Pingtan's port authorities. "We're proud to support critical infrastructure projects abroad with reliable maritime service."

Since the beginning of the year, local authorities in Pingtan have processed nationality changes for seven Chinese-flagged vessels, aiming to streamline cross-border maritime logistics. "We're committed to providing swift and efficient clearance for all vessels involved in international cooperation," the official added.

The successful departure of Yuntong 401 signals growing momentum in regional shipping and cooperation across Southeast Asia.