<p>Hai Win Shipping’s biggest delivery of freight from Shanghai direct to Darwin on Friday (July 29) was a significant win for the Northern Territory port and a further step to a permanent service, the acting chief minister, Syd Stirling, said.</p> <p>The shipment of 123 containers arrived aboard the <em>Ursula </em> at East Arm Port as part of the third commercial trial of Hai Win’s direct shipping service from China. </p> <p>Mr Stirling said the record freight load included 87 containers for local Darwin businesses. The other 36 containers are being transhipped to Adelaide and southern centres by rail. </p> <p>"This operation, being conducted by FCL Interstate Transport Services, is a major vote of confidence in the AustralAsia Trade Route," he said. </p> <p>The <em>Ursula</em> also discharged 72 bundles of break-bulk steel in Darwin. </p> <p>Hai Win plans to conduct a fourth trial in September and a fifth trial in October. </p> <p>"The company is continuing a full commercial assessment of a regular shuttle service between North Asia and Darwin," Mr Stirling said. </p> <p>"The level of early commitment they have shown is very encouraging for the future." </p> <br />
