Zhanjiang Port eyes southern hub status under B&R Initiative

Zhanjiang Port processed 46.39 million tons of large-scale bulk cargo and 552,300 containers from January to July, respective year-on-year increases of 6.9 percent and 10.11 percent.

The figures set a new high amid a series of measures rolled out by Xiashan Customs to bolster Zhanjiang Port as a key southern hub with increased influence under the Belt & Road Initiative.

In recent years, the port has opened multiple sea-rail combined transportation routes to Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture and Tongren in Guizhou province with the support of Xiashan Customs.

The intermodal approach, which transports cargoes by rail and sea successively in an integrated manner, is noted for its efficiency and low cost. The whole process only requires one declaration, one inspection and one release.

It not only helps Zhanjiang Port enhance its presence in inland areas, but also provides a channel for southwest China to import ores and export chemical products.

Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) transported by sea and rail numbered 7,892 at Zhanjiang Port in the first half of this year, up by 207 percent year-on-year.

In the meantime, Xiashan Customs has equipped itself with a slew of advanced equipment such as electronic loadometers and intelligent toll-gates to facilitate customs clearance.

The clearance time for imports decreased by 50.4 percent to 4.89 hours on average in July, while that of exports dropped by 49.7 percent to 0.72 hours.