« Set sail! »

On the morning of July 25th, a clear command echoed across the river as four pilot routes—Jiangjin Luohuang Port to Wanzhou Xintian Port, Guoyuan Port to Yunnan Shuifu Port, Fuling Baitao Port to Yunnan Shuifu Port, and Kaizhou Port to Wanzhou Xintian Port—simultaneously sounded their horns and departed. The « Qianli Qingzhou » freight liner officially launched in Chongqing, marking the city’s entry into a convenient and efficient « bus-like era » of shipping.

The « Qianli Qingzhou » freight liner effectively connects secondary and tributary waterways with small and medium-sized ports, enhancing the role, advantages, and potential of shipping in the comprehensive transport system. Goods transported via the Yangtze River can now « depart upon arrival, » with a single voyage reducing transport costs by approximately 15%.

In recent years, Chongqing has leveraged its abundant shoreline resources to continuously improve its port system, enhance port efficiency, and develop a modern multimodal transport network. The golden waterway of the Yangtze River now connects inland areas to the sea, broadening the path to openness for inland cities.

Improving Waterways and Enhancing Capacity

Core Ports Achieve 100% Rail Access

Blasting, dredging, debris removal—on the afternoon of July 28th, a construction fleet consisting of dredgers, blasting vessels, and debris carriers worked in coordination on the Yangtze River’s Fuling to Fengdu waterway improvement project (referred to as the Fuling-Fengdu project).

« The project is in its final stages, ensuring the completion of the 48-kilometer waterway improvement by year-end, » said the project manager. For every 0.1-meter increase in water depth, a 3,000-ton vessel can carry an additional 130 tons, while a 5,000-ton vessel can carry over 200 tons more.

This upgraded waterway is a critical channel for bulk cargo transport between the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze and the southwestern region. Once fully improved, 5,000-ton cargo ships can operate year-round at full capacity from the lower Yangtze to Chongqing’s urban core, significantly enhancing navigation conditions and capacity upstream.

Ports and waterways are key components of a modern multimodal transport system. In recent years, Chongqing has accelerated efforts to address multimodal transport gaps, optimize port connectivity, improve the Yangtze’s trunk and tributary routes, and advance shipping infrastructure with notable results.

In waterway improvements, the 4.5-meter-deep channel from Chaotianmen to Fuling has completed trial operations. The Jialing River Lizhou Shipping Hub’s main structure is finished, linking 16 sections from Guangyuan to Chaotianmen, creating over 680 kilometers of high-grade waterways. A joint Chongqing-Sichuan scheduling mechanism enables « one-time declaration, full-line navigation. » The Qujiang River’s Chongqing section now meets third-class waterway standards, providing better conditions for regional cargo transport.

In port construction, since late last year, four ports (terminals), including Huangqian Port Phase I and Chongqing Chemical Terminal Phase II, have become operational, adding over 25 million tons of handling capacity. Xintian Port Phase II is expected to open by year-end.

Multimodal transport is advancing rapidly. Fifty-six integrated transport projects are underway, with dedicated rail lines at Luohuang Port and Xintian Port now operational. Seven ports currently offer rail-water intermodal services, with core ports achieving 100% rail access.

Data shows that by the end of 2024, Chongqing will have 1,140 kilometers of high-grade waterways navigable by 1,000-ton vessels, with port handling capacity reaching 230 million tons and 3.63 million TEUs.

Expanding the Shipping Network

Logistics Costs 0.5% Below National Average

Open waterways drive shipping, and shipping drives prosperity.

The Yangtze’s improved navigation and port rail links have spurred denser shipping networks and more efficient multimodal transport.

Relying on rail-water hubs like Guoyuan Port, a network now extends across Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Shaanxi, with port cargo handling exceeding 50% of regional volume. Annual rail-water intermodal freight exceeds 22 million tons.

On the Yangtze trunk line, the « Shanghai-Chongqing Express » maintains stable operations, alongside new

Jiangjin Luohuang Port

Jiangjin Luohuang Port is a historic river port located in Chongqing, China, along the Yangtze River. It played a significant role in trade and transportation during ancient times, serving as a vital hub for goods and cultural exchange in the region. Today, it remains an important part of Jiangjin District’s economy and heritage, reflecting Chongqing’s long-standing connection to riverine commerce.

Wanzhou Xintian Port

Wanzhou Xintian Port is a major river port located in Wanzhou District, Chongqing, China, serving as a key transportation hub on the Yangtze River. Historically, it has played a significant role in regional trade and logistics, leveraging its strategic position in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The port has modernized over the years to support economic development and tourism in southwestern China.

Guoyuan Port

Guoyuan Port is a major inland river port located in Chongqing, China, serving as a crucial hub for cargo transportation along the Yangtze River. Established to support regional trade and economic development, it plays a key role in connecting western China to coastal areas. The port has grown significantly since its inception, reflecting Chongqing’s rise as an important logistics and industrial center.

Yunnan Shuifu Port

Yunnan Shuifu Port is a key border crossing and transportation hub located in Yunnan Province, China, near the junction of the Jinsha and Yangtze Rivers. Historically, it has served as an important trade gateway between China and neighboring countries like Vietnam, facilitating economic and cultural exchanges. Today, it remains vital for regional logistics and cross-border commerce.

Fuling Baitao Port

Fuling Baitao Port is a historic river port located in Fuling District, Chongqing, China, situated along the Yangtze River. It played a significant role in regional trade and transportation, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties, serving as a hub for goods like salt, tea, and timber. Today, it remains a cultural landmark, reflecting Fuling’s rich maritime heritage and connection to the Three Gorges region.

Kaizhou Port

Kaizhou Port is a historic port located in Chongqing, China, with origins dating back over 1,800 years to the Han Dynasty. It served as a vital hub for trade and transportation along the Yangtze River, playing a key role in the region’s economic and cultural development. Today, it remains an important part of Chongqing’s waterway infrastructure, blending historical significance with modern logistics.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, stretches over 6,300 kilometers through China, playing a vital role in the country’s history, culture, and economy. For millennia, it has been a cradle of Chinese civilization, supporting agriculture, trade, and transportation, while also inspiring art and literature. Today, it remains crucial for hydropower, most notably through the Three Gorges Dam, though its ecosystems face challenges from pollution and development.

Jialing River Lizhou Shipping Hub

The Jialing River Lizhou Shipping Hub is a key transportation and logistics center located on the Jialing River in Sichuan Province, China. Historically, the Jialing River has been an important waterway for trade and transportation, and the Lizhou Hub was developed to modernize shipping capabilities, improve regional connectivity, and support economic growth. Today, it facilitates cargo transport, boosts inland waterway efficiency, and plays a vital role in Sichuan’s river-based trade network.