China's Silk Road Maritime network has achieved a new milestone, handling over 26 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo since its establishment. The Belt and Road Initiative's flagship maritime platform continues to strengthen global trade connectivity, with 2025 figures showing 5.4 million TEUs moved through its routes – a 9.11% year-over-year increase.
Recent data reveals significant growth across all operations, with bulk and general cargo shipments jumping 26.4% to 12.27 million tonnes in 2025. The network's expansion now spans 148 international routes, connecting 150 ports across 48 countries and regions from Southeast Asia to Europe.
This maritime corridor has evolved into a critical artery for Asia-Europe commerce, particularly enhancing supply chain resilience between manufacturing hubs and consumer markets. Analysts note the network's rapid scaling demonstrates increasing confidence among global shippers and aligns with broader economic integration trends across Eurasia.
