Maersk recently announced the launch of a brand-new Qilin sea freight service with direct flights from China to Australia. This route connects Shanghai, Sydney, and Melbourne, serving as a strong complement to the existing Dragon route connecting Northeast Asia and Australia's east coast, providing better timeliness, more flexible, and stable maritime services for trade between China, especially East China, Australia, and even the Atlantic.
The Qilin route operates weekly, with the inaugural flight departing from Shanghai on July 24, 2026, calling at Shanghai-Sydney-Melbourne. Compared to the existing Dragon route, Qilin has a clear advantage in transit times, shortening transit times by 4-9 days. The Shanghai to Sydney flight takes about 14 days, and to Melbourne about 17 days; Sydney to Shanghai takes about 19 days, Melbourne to Shanghai about 15 days.
The name Qilin is derived from the auspicious beast "Qilin" from Chinese legend, symbolizing peace, good fortune, and wealth.