Multi-transshipment intermodal system launched at Guoyuan Port

The container terminal at Guoyuan Port in Liangjiang New Area. [Photo/WeChat account of Liangjiang New Area]

A significant milestone was recently achieved as a train loaded with imported goods arrived at Guoyuan Port in Liangjiang New Area.

This shipment marked the first use of the "multi-transshipment" function for imports via the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, utilizing a seamless "sea-rail-river" intermodal transport system, which is expected to significantly reduce shipping time and costs for foreign trade enterprises.

The consignment, consisting of 40 containers of paper pulp valued at $182,000, was shipped by sea to Qinzhou Port, transported by rail to Guoyuan Port via the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, and finally transferred by river to Yongchuan Port.

"We provided 'point-to-point' guidance for enterprises to help them complete multi-transshipment business declarations through the 'single window' system, enabling one-time processing of the entire transshipment procedure," explained Liu Guangyu, deputy director of the logistics management department at Chongqing Port Customs.

The customs have also established cooperation with the area's modern service industry bureau, Qinzhou Port Customs, and Yongchuan Customs to optimize the transshipment process between rail and water at Guoyuan Port.

Zhang Jingping, logistics manager at Chongqing Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Co, highlighted the benefits of the new model: "We can complete the entire transshipment procedure in one go at the port of entry, applying online for one-time approval. Measures such as 'direct delivery from the ship' have improved the efficiency of cargo handling at the port, reducing shipping time by nearly two days."

A representative from the modern service industry bureau stated that authorities will continue to encourage enterprises to utilize the "multi-transshipment" function in an attempt to achieve the integration and connectivity of the Western Land-Sea New Corridor and the Yangtze River Golden Waterway at Guoyuan Port.

Guoyuan Port, a key hub for Chongqing's inland opening-up strategy, handled a total of 12.91 million metric tons of cargo and operated 479 trains on the Western Land-Sea New Corridor in the first half of this year, accounting for 22 percent of the city's total.

Cargo ships dock at the terminal of Guoyuan Port in Liangjiang New Area. [Photo/WeChat account of Liangjiang New Area]