As tensions between China and Japan escalate, the ferry "Jianzhen," long regarded as a symbol of friendship between the two nations, has temporarily suspended its passenger transport services and will continue operating cargo-only. China-Japan International Ferry Co., Ltd., the operator of the "Jianzhen," issued a statement on December 8, announcing that the vessel's service between Shanghai and Japan's Osaka and Kobe has been suspended since December 6 due to concerns about the inability to ensure safe travel between the two countries under the current circumstances. The statement noted that this suspension is a "temporary measure," with no confirmed date for resumption.
Also on December 8, the Japan-China International Ferry Co., Ltd., the Japanese general agent for the "Jianzhen," released a statement indicating that passenger services have been temporarily suspended starting from the voyage departing Shanghai on December 6. This decision was made in response to notification from Chinese authorities that they are currently unable to guarantee the safety of passengers traveling between China and Japan. All pre-booked tickets will be canceled free of charge, with no cancellation fees imposed.
Public information reveals that China-Japan International Ferry Co., Ltd. is a Sino-foreign joint venture established on May 30, 1985, jointly founded by COSCO Shipping Group and Japan-China International Ferry Co., Ltd. Currently, the company operates two advanced ro-ro ships on the China-Japan route: the "Jianzhen," which handles both passenger and cargo transport, and the "New Jianzhen," which is dedicated to cargo services.
According to Japanese media reports, while passenger services have been suspended, cargo transport on the Shanghai-Kobe/Osaka route remains unaffected. The vessel docked at Kobe Port on December 8 continued its normal loading and unloading operations. Approximately 70% of passengers on this route are Chinese, with the remaining 30% comprising Japanese and other international travelers. Due to the abrupt nature of the announcement, many passengers had already made arrangements for transportation to the port, hotel bookings, and other logistics, leading to a significant number of requests for assistance and support from Japan-China International Ferry.
The "Jianzhen" first sailed to Japan in 1985, inaugurating the first international passenger and cargo liner route between Shanghai and Japan. Following vessel upgrades and replacements, the second-generation "Jianzhen" entered service in April 1994. The brand-new third-generation "Jianzhen" was commissioned in June 2024, with passenger services launched after one year of cargo operations. While the first two generations of the "Jianzhen" were developed and built by Japanese shipyards, the third-generation "Jianzhen" is the first China-Japan route ro-pax ferry independently developed, designed, and constructed by a Chinese shipbuilder.
The third-generation "Jianzhen" was designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) under China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Weihai) Shipyard. With an overall length of 167.2 meters, a breadth of 25 meters, a passenger capacity of 192, a gross tonnage of approximately 20,000 tons, and a design speed of 21 knots, the vessel can carry 338 TEU containers (including 60 TEU refrigerated containers) and is classed by the China Classification Society (CCS). As a non-short international voyage ro-pax ferry, the ship regularly operates between Shanghai, Osaka, and Kobe, transporting not only passengers but also passenger cars, trucks, container trailers, ro-ro cargo, containers, and refrigerated containers.
In July of this year, China-Japan International Ferry Co., Ltd. officially announced the commencement of passenger services on the "Jianzhen." At the time, the notification stated: "China-Japan International Ferry Co., Ltd. remains committed to providing safe, comfortable, and efficient shipping services for passengers. The 'Jianzhen' will embark on its journey with a renewed vision, offering travelers scenic maritime views and serving as a maritime bridge for exchanges between China and Japan."
Earlier, multiple flight routes between China and Japan were canceled following erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Additionally, on November 28, Adora Cruises announced changes to its itinerary plans for the first quarter of 2026, with its ships "Adora Magic City" and "Adora Mediterranea" focusing on popular destinations in South Korea and Southeast Asia, while Japan-related destinations were removed. Royal Caribbean also recently adjusted some itineraries for the "Spectrum of the Seas" between January and April 2026, with 13 sailings originally scheduled for Japan redirected to South Korean ports.
