The Chinese freighter Tian Qi, laden with 35,000 tonnes of granite, has departed from the port of Vitória in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, bound for Zhuhai in the Chinese province of Guangdong, the state government has announced.
The government of Espírito Santo issued a written statement saying the voyage is the first in a new direct cargo service.
The state government says the service is the result of seven years of negotiations, which were completed in February.
The statement quotes Governor of Espírito Santo Paulo Hartung as saying he hopes the new service will boost the economies of his own and neighbouring states.
The Tian Qi will soon be adapted to carry containers as well as bulk cargo, the state government says.