International Ro-Pax ferry service between Japan and China is set to resume on June 28 for the first time in over five years. The operators, China-Japan International Ferry (CHINJIF) and Japan-China International Ferry (JIFCO), stated the service had been suspended since January 28, 2020.
The initial suspension was due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was prolonged by significant delays in the renovation of the passenger terminal in Shanghai. With the renovation now complete, the first passenger sailing is scheduled to depart from Shanghai on June 28, arriving in Osaka on June 30.
The passenger service will be operated by the vessel Jian Zhen Hao, which entered service last year. The companies' other ship, Xin Jian Zhen, will be used for cargo transport only. The service alternates between the Japanese ports of Osaka and Kobe.
The operators noted that the first four voyages after the resumption will be "confirmation voyages". General passengers will be able to board starting with the voyage departing from Shanghai on July 12.