Xiamen Port in Fujian province opened its first direct cross-border e-commerce maritime transport route to Taipei Port on Wednesday to meet the growing demand for exports to Taiwan.

Freight ships sail the route twice a week. The first ship, carrying 60 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo, valued at 22.9 million yuan ($3.4 million), arrived at Taipei Port on Thursday.

Compared with the previous routes, which passed Jinmen, Matsu and Penghu islands, the new one features a shorter distance, faster speed and lower cost. There is no need for secondary transfers.

In the future, the frequency will be increased to three times a week, and it's possible that new direct routes will link to other Taiwan ports.

Zhang Shuping, deputy leader of a law enforcement team from the Xiamen Dongdu maritime office, said workers will enhance monitoring and service of ships on the route, help them complete customs clearance quickly, and ensure safe sailing to promote economic development across the Taiwan Strait.