Nicaragua and China Inaugurate First Commercial Maritime Route
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

On August 1, 2024, Nicaragua and China inaugurated a direct maritime trade route between the two countries with the arrival of the Sunny Fortune ship at Corinto Port, Nicaragua, from Tianjin Port, China.
The Sunny Fortune ship carries the first equipment and machinery to be used in the construction of the new Punta Huete International Airport in Nicaragua, a key project being built as part of the Belt and Road Initiative that will significantly enhance Nicaragua’s air connectivity, allowing direct flights from Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.
The new direct maritime route between Tianjin Port and Corinto Port represents a historic milestone in the development of commercial relations between China and Nicaragua and will become a crucial pillar for fully leveraging the Free Trade Agreement between our countries.
The new connection aims to provide a more efficient transportation channel for goods as it eliminates the need for transhipment in other ports, reducing transit time and costs. Therefore, the new route could lead to an increase in trade volume between the two countries, particularly for products like agricultural goods, textiles, and electronics.
The China-Nicaragua route will be operated by three vessels and will consist of a monthly voyage with an approximate duration of 30 days.