Course set to become global shipping center

Ports, as fundamental and pivotal facilities, play a crucial role as hubs in global industry and supply chains. As the key component in the construction of Shandong's marine economy, this year, Qingdao is accelerating its efforts to build itself into an international shipping center, in a bid to better serve the marine industry of the province.

An elevated view of one of the ports in Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Recently, the Qingdao city government issued its Three-Year Action Plan for the Construction of Qingdao International Shipping Center (2024-26), which proposes that the Qingdao international shipping center should begin to show effects by 2026.

The plan also targets the ports' cargo throughput exceeding 770 million metric tons; container throughput surpassing 36 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units); the total number of routes reaching 240; the volume of containers transported by intermodal sea-rail exceeding 2.55 million TEUs; the scale of European-Asian rail services exceeding 1,100 trains; and the added value of the logistics industry exceeding 190 billion yuan ($26.6 billion) by 2026.

By 2028, the plan expects the core functions and framework of the Qingdao international shipping center to be preliminarily established, with the goal of becoming an internationally recognized shipping center by 2035.

An international shipping center refers to a global port city with excellent port logistics conditions, a sound shipping service system, developed shipping and related industries, and a significant role in the global shipping market. Major internationally recognized shipping center cities include London, New York, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai among others.

Qingdao has favorable conditions and a solid foundation for accelerating transformation into an international shipping center due to its prosperity driven by the port, local officials said.

Qingdao's ports have a vast economic hinterland, excellent infrastructure, a complete route network, and global container terminal automation technology, making it a key hub in the country's comprehensive transportation system.

Additionally, Qingdao Port connects to more than 700 ports worldwide, serving as one of the key unloading ports in northern China for imports of crude oil, one of the three largest foreign trade iron ore unloading ports in northern China and a key container trunk port.

Its sea-rail transportation volume has maintained the top spot in the country for nine consecutive years, with cargo and container throughput ranking respectively fourth and fifth globally in 2023. According to the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index, Qingdao ranks 15th in the world in terms of comprehensive strength as a shipping center city.

In June, the Qingdao international shipping center construction work team was established, with one office and nine working departments under its purview. Relevant member units have pooled their efforts to focus on the key tasks to promote high-quality development of the port and shipping industry.