In a recent visit to Fuyang, Anhui province, as part of a themed reporting activity, insights were gained into how this key northern Anhui city is leveraging integrated "highway-railway-waterway-air" transport to fast-track the creation of a modern smart logistics port.
At the Anhui (Fuyang) Railway International Logistics Port, cranes stand tall in the intermodal freight yard, industrial parks bustle with activity, and dedicated logistics routes extend across regions. The first phase of the logistics port, known as the Fuyang North Railway Logistics Base, features four cargo lines arranged in a row, where container loading and unloading operations proceed in an orderly and efficient manner.
With a total investment exceeding 6 billion yuan and covering an area of over 2,400 acres, this modern comprehensive intermodal freight hub integrates production, storage, sorting, circulation processing, distribution, and information processing. It is positioned as a regional freight assembly center supporting dual-circulation development, a multi-modal transport hub linking the Yangtze River Delta and the Central Plains urban agglomeration, a new high ground for open cooperation in northern Anhui, and a key engine driving high-quality development in the Fuyang metropolitan area. The project officially commenced operations on February 13, 2025, filling the gap for a modern railway logistics hub in northern Anhui.
"Previously, trucks just passed through Fuyang; the cargo left, leaving nothing behind. Now, goods can 'take root' upon arrival, industries follow, and employment opportunities increase," noted Su Tingquan, Chairman of Anhui Jingjiu Logistics Co., Ltd., while observing shunting operations at the yard. He highlighted efficiencies gained by leveraging the Fuyang North Marshalling Station hub, where freight vehicles from surrounding smaller stations converge for consolidation. Shunting and assembly processes alone save half a day to a full day. Overall, transport time to Yangtze River Delta ports has been reduced by 40%, with logistics costs dropping by over 65%.
These gains reflect the effective implementation of Fuyang's strategic positioning as "one key focus, one center, two hubs." Jia Jianfeng, Party Group Secretary and Director of the Yingquan District Light Industry Association (Quanbei Logistics Port Comprehensive Management Center), explained that the logistics port aligns closely with this strategy. Capitalizing on its location bridging east and west, connecting north and south, it fully utilizes the marshalling and consolidation functions of Fuyang North Railway Station. Characterized by multi-modal transport, it coordinates regional distribution, intermodal services, warehousing, cross-border logistics, and urban delivery to build a modern logistics operation system radiating to the Central Plains, linking with the Yangtze River Delta, and connecting globally.
The logistics port has not only transformed from a "pass-through economy" to a "landing economy" but has also become a powerful magnet for industrial clustering. Under Fuyang's development plan, it is set to become the largest railway dry port core area in East China, creating over 10,000 jobs. Together with Yingquan Port and the Delta Hub Ship Lock, it will form a triangular transportation layout, with an annual designed throughput capacity exceeding 35 million tons.
Reflecting on Fuyang's transport and logistics development, Su Tingquan remarked, "Now, the Ying River and Huai River waterways are unobstructed. After the Jianghuai Canal becomes navigable, the water route from Fuyang to the Yangtze River will shorten by 500–600 kilometers. The upgraded Delta Hub Ship Lock has increased its annual capacity from 20 million to 160 million tons. Fuyang Airport connects to over 30 major cities nationwide, and the main structure of the second phase of the Bonded Logistics Center (Type B) is complete. The multi-modal transport development pattern is firmly taking shape."
Currently, the logistics port operates sea-rail intermodal routes to Ningbo Port and Shanghai Port, with four weekly fixed train services. Its cargo sources cover a market of approximately 65 million people within a 150-kilometer radius along the Anhui-Henan border.
Looking ahead, Jia Jianfeng stated, "We will focus on developing a smart port and a zero-carbon industrial park, while actively pursuing the launch of China-Europe and Central Asia freight trains, which would mark the end of northern Anhui having no origin station for China-Europe rail services."
From a "pass-through economy" where traffic left no trace to a "landing economy" retaining goods and industries, this modern smart logistics hub continues to unleash strong nodal momentum. It is writing a new chapter of openness for northern Anhui's revitalization, serving the new development paradigm, linking the Yangtze River Delta and Central Plains urban clusters, and supporting high-quality growth in the Fuyang metropolitan area.