New Shipping Route Between Ceará and China to Benefit Shein and Shopee, Boost Imports by 20%

The launch of a new cargo shipping route connecting Asia (primarily China) to the Port of Pecém in the Fortaleza metropolitan area is expected to bring major logistical advantages to e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Shopee, and AliExpress.

According to experts interviewed by Diário do Nordeste, the shorter and more direct transit—with the Pecém port being the first stop for vessels arriving in Brazil—is expected to reduce import operation costs for these digital platforms and increase the volume of imported goods by as much as 20%.

The announcement, made on Wednesday (April 8), introduced the new route, the Santana Service. MSC operates the route in partnership with APM Terminals. Its main innovation is establishing a direct connection between China and the state of Ceará.

The route starts at the Mundra (India) port and stops in Singapore before heading to China’s major ports—Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai (the world’s largest port), and Qingdao. The last stop in Asia is Busan (South Korea). From there, the vessels cross the Pacific Ocean to the Americas, stopping in Cristobal (Panama) and Caucedo (Dominican Republic) before reaching Pecém. The goal is to cut travel time between Asia and Ceará by nearly half.

“The new maritime route between China and Fortaleza significantly shortens transit times and improves logistics. (…) Shipping time, currently around 60 days, will drop to just 30, making Ceará even more competitive in the foreign trade landscape,” said Max Quintino, president of the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex (CIPP).

Maritime logistics and shipping law expert Larry Carvalho estimates that the new route could reduce port operation costs by around 20%.

“Given the 50% reduction in transit time and efficiency gains at Pecém, I estimate logistics cost savings of around 20%, depending on cargo volume, negotiations with shipping lines, and demand stability. The reduction could be even greater for time-sensitive cargo, where speed is a competitive advantage,” he noted.

Chinese Goods Cross the Pacific to Ceará

The biggest impact of the new route is on imports — goods arriving from China to Ceará. Currently, most maritime imports from Asia land first in the Port of Santos (SP) and then are shipped via coastal navigation (cabotage) to Ceará. This route will remain in place. However, with the new Santana Service, goods will now cross the Pacific, go through the Panama Canal, and arrive directly in Pecém, avoiding the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

“We expect a considerable increase in cargo throughput — possibly up to 20% more imports. This change is a significant efficiency gain for importers,” said Augusto Fernandes, foreign trade specialist and CEO of JM Negócios Internacionais.

Export logistics remain unchanged. Ships leaving Pecém will continue to stop at Suape (PE), Salvador (BA), and Santos (SP) before restarting the Asian leg in Mundra.

The new route is expected to drive a 10% increase in overall cargo volume at Pecém, with at least 1,200 containers arriving at the port weekly.

See below a historical overview of long-haul container movements through the Port of Pecém. The data is from DataLiner:

Pecém Port | Exports & Imports | Jan 2022 – Feb 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Container Imports and Exports via Port of Pecém | Jan 2022 – Feb 2025 | TEUs

“Asia’s market has over 2 billion people, offering an opportunity to connect northeastern Brazilian products to that region — and vice versa. From granite, marble, cashew nuts, carnauba wax, fruits, footwear, textiles, and thousands of e-commerce items. Local industries will also benefit from easier access to Asian machinery and raw materials,” noted André Magalhães, CIPP’s commercial director.

How Long Will It Take from China to Ceará?

The advertised 30-day travel time between Chinese ports and Pecém refers specifically to the leg from Qingdao (the last stop in China) to Ceará. On average, this journey is expected to take about 37 days. From other Chinese ports like Shanghai, it may take approximately 39 days. From Mundra, India, it may take around 56 days. The shortest leg is from Caucedo (Dominican Republic) to Pecém —only 6 days.

Asian E-Commerce Platforms to Gain the Most

According to Augusto Fernandes, the route will indeed increase imports, but that won’t necessarily translate into lower consumer prices — the main benefits will go to the companies.

“The cost reduction isn’t that substantial, but the impact on transit time is. It takes 60–65 days for shipments from China to Pecém. The new route cuts that to about 30 days. This enables companies to fine-tune logistics, reduce inventory needs, and optimize operations,” he explained.

In the context of a globalized economy—one increasingly strained by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war policies—the arrival of Asian goods via this new route is set to benefit companies selling to Brazilian consumers.

As Fernandes notes, the new route is designed for general cargo, including popular items and even goods already manufactured in the region, such as appliances and textiles.

“Demand on these platforms is very high. Imports used to come through Santos, with a 30-day transit time. Now, Pecém matches that timeframe. Our neighboring port of Suape already offered this advantage, which led many Ceará-based importers to rely on that structure. With this new route to Pecém, we’ve gained competitiveness and will increase the port’s cargo volume,” he added.

As Carvalho points out, this new route is also expected to benefit exports. With better connectivity to Asia, Ceará is likely to consolidate its role as a port hub in Brazil, thanks to its proximity to the Panama Canal, a key artery for global trade.

“This enhances the competitiveness of Ceará’s exports — like fruits and footwear — which require fast transit to maintain quality and meet demanding markets. It also attracts investments, as companies see Pecém as a more efficient gateway to and from Asia. The benefits include job creation and local economic growth, solidifying Ceará as a strategic link in global trade,” said Larry Carvalho.

Diário do Nordeste contacted Alibaba Group (owner of AliExpress) and Shopee to learn more about how they expect to benefit from the new shipping route. Updates will follow as responses are received.

Source: Diário do Nordeste

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