China Southern Airlines launches Oslo-Shanghai cargo route for salmon

China Southern Airlines has launched a new direct cargo route between Oslo Airport and Shanghai, aimed at boosting Norwegian seafood exports to China. Operating with Boeing 777F aircraft, the service features two weekly departures, providing a capacity of approximately 100 tons per flight.

During the initial operational phase, the route is expected to transport roughly 200 tons of Norwegian salmon to China each week. This direct connection is intended to reduce transport times and minimize transshipments, which is critical for maintaining the quality and shelf life of fresh seafood.

China has become an increasingly vital market for the Norwegian seafood industry. According to the Norway Seafood Council, Norway exported 178,000 tons of seafood to China in 2025, valued at 12.3 billion NOK. This growth moved China from the sixth to the third largest seafood market for Norway, with salmon being the primary export species.