Xintian Port, A Multimodal Case Driving Development of Inland River Port through Seaport | Insights

Chongqing - "Xintian Port will further leverage its unique geographical advantages and characteristics to strengthen collaborative cooperation with ports on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in the Sichuan-Chongqing region," said Xie Lei, the Chairman of Xintian Port at Chongqing Expressway Navigation Construction Development Co., Ltd.

Another strategic inland rail-water intermodal transportation

Located in Wanzhou District, Xintian Port is built along the Yangtze River, serving as one of the three strategic hub ports in Chongqing and the eastern gateway to the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. It is planned to be the largest inland deep-water port in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. 

Like the Guoyuan Port of Liangjiang New Area, this river port connects railways to make up the natural shortage of inland port capacity, forming a vital logistics hub in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. On June 20th, Wanzhou Xintian Port held the inaugural launch ceremony for rail-water intermodal transportation, marking its official operation.

The project constructs 19 berths with a capacity of 5,000 tons each, with the first phase already completed and implemented. The port area is directly connected to multiple highways, such as Zhongxian-Wanzhou Highway and Lichuan-Wanzhou Highway, and the dedicated railway line connecting Dazhou-Wanzhou Railway and Yichang-Wanzhou Railway provides convenient conditions for intermodal transportation by railway, highway, and waterway.

"By fully utilizing the advantages of the port cluster, we can reduce logistics costs and lower the prices of various products," Xie added. "Simultaneously, through water transportation, we can also reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the economic development and carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle."

Multimodal transport of Wanzhou Xintian Port officially begins operations. (Photo/Chen Yingzhu)

Natural geographical advantages ensure the lowest transportation cost

"Xintian Port is located downstream in the Sichuan-Chongqing Yangtze River basin, endowed with natural geographical advantages," said Xie. "Compared to upstream ports like Luzhou and Yibin city, it can save two to five days in logistics time and reduce shipping costs by 200-500 yuan/TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit)."

Xie continued that during the flood season, Xintian Port's depth can reach over 30 meters, accommodating vessels of up to 10,000 tons. During the dry season, the depth ranges from 7 to 8 meters, meeting the berthing requirements of 5,000-ton vessels of the 130 standards.

"Xintian Port serves as a transshipment hub," explained Xie. "Domestic trade goods from the Sichuan-Chongqing region can be connected to surrounding areas and provinces through Xintian Port's intermodal transportation options, including railway to a waterway, highway to a waterway, and waterway to a waterway."

Water transportation has the lowest cost compared to highway, railway, and airway transportation. This is crucial as it significantly reduces logistics costs in logistics companies or product manufacturing, lowering selling prices and benefiting consumers.

"In addition, water transportation has much lower carbon emissions. This aligns perfectly with the country's carbon peaking and neutrality goals and contributes to improving our ecological environment," Xie added.

Facilitating international cooperation and trade in grain

"Xintian Port will play a crucial role as a node and hub in the Belt and Road Initiative," stated Xie. "By accelerating economic and trade cooperation across various industries, we aim to facilitate the transportation of various commodities in both eastward and westward directions."

Wanzhou Xintian Port aims to build a multimodal transport hub integrating railway, highway, and waterway. (Photo/Chen Yingzhu)

For example, this month, transporting South American soybeans and other grains to Xintian Port through river-and-sea coordinated transport has facilitated international cooperation and trade in grain.

Also, foreign trade goods transported via the golden waterway of the Yangtze River can be further connected through Xintian Port's railway, highway, and waterway intermodal transport systems, reaching the central and western regions of China or being sent to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, thereby achieving the goal of domestic and international dual circulation.

"We have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment and Operation Group Co., Ltd. to drive the development of inland river ports through the seaports," said Xie. "We are committed to transforming Xintian Port into a major commodity distribution and storage center in the southwestern region."