As of 8:00 AM on November 24, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's sea-rail intermodal transport volume for this year has reached 1.826 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), marking a 9% year-on-year increase and surpassing the total volume recorded for the entire previous year.
This impressive performance stems from the port's continuous efforts to expand its hinterland connectivity. Since the beginning of the year, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has proactively developed its inland network, optimized its multimodal transport system, and launched four new sea-rail intermodal routes while adding two new freight train services. Currently, its sea-rail intermodal network spans 69 cities across 16 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), with a total of 111 routes and 40 inland dry ports—ranking first among Chinese ports in both coverage and infrastructure.
To meet robust inland demand for foreign trade, the port has actively engaged with export-oriented businesses, identifying new growth opportunities. Collaborating with local governments and enterprises, it has introduced customized freight services tailored to industries in regions such as Lishui Songyang and Yiwu. Additionally, it has accelerated the development of sea-rail intermodal routes connecting Hefei's Pihe and Wuhan to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, facilitating inland regions' access to global markets and boosting their export-driven economies.
Meanwhile, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has enhanced operational efficiency through service upgrades and innovative models. With support from multiple departments, the port introduced the "Zhejiang e-Port Connect" system, significantly improving customs clearance efficiency for imports and exports. This initiative has attracted more inland cargo to utilize sea-rail intermodal transport via Zhejiang, with the system now covering 24 terminals nationwide.
The port has also deepened reforms in "single-document" sea-rail intermodal transport, leveraging the MFS California Municipal Fund (CCA) as a unified bill of lading. Partnering with 16 major shipping companies, including Maersk and COSCO SHIPPING, the port has extended this service to over 30 sea-rail intermodal routes.
Furthermore, by integrating railway, port, and shipping resources, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has pioneered a "Dual Express" logistics model combining "sea-rail express + shipping fast lanes." It has also launched dual-frequency freight trains and domestic "door-to-door" dedicated services, further optimizing regional logistics networks and providing cost-effective, high-efficiency solutions for foreign trade enterprises.
Strong infrastructure has been pivotal to sustaining this growth. The port has focused on improving container transport efficiency, particularly at key railway hubs such as Chuanshan Port Station and Beilun Port Station, where operational enhancements have driven record-breaking volumes. Zhenhai Railway Station, serving as a backup hub, successfully handled its first bulk grain-to-container shipment in July, diversifying its cargo categories.
Notably, the Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port—part of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's "Sixth Port Area"—has emerged as a new growth driver since its launch in late June. Leveraging smart logistics advantages, it has rapidly scaled operations, currently handling 600 TEUs daily and reducing loading/unloading times to approximately two hours per train. (End)