On June 20, 2025, the Yantian Port Blockchain Paperless Bill of Lading Switch Platform achieved a major breakthrough as COSCO Shipping South China successfully completed the first end-to-end paperless import bill of lading switch for feeder laden containers from Hong Kong at YANTIAN. This marks a further expansion of the platform's application scenarios following its successful implementation of paperless bill of lading switch for feeder imports in 2024. For the first time, paperless bill of lading switch has been implemented in the "Shenzhen Yantian-Hong Kong Kwai Tsing" feeder import service, enabling Yantian Port to fully support COSCO Shipping's electronic bills of lading (Seaway Bills) and telex release bills, achieving paperless bill of lading switch across all import scenarios.
This achievement underscores the immense potential of Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation and the close collaboration, trust, and mutual benefits between YANTIAN and its feeder partners. In 2024, YANTIAN’s feeder throughput once again reached a record high. Notably, the feeder service between YANTIAN and Hong Kong has been in continuous operation for over 31 years, with container volumes consistently achieving positive year-on-year growth. Last year, laden container volumes alone increased by nearly 30%, setting new records alongside overall annual feeder throughput. This progress demonstrates the complementary advantages and mutual benefits of Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation, providing efficient and convenient logistics channels for international trade enterprises across the Greater Bay Area and inland regions.
Efficiency leap
Tasks that once required 1–2 people over 1–2 days can now be completed online in just over 10 minutes.
Workflow simplified from 4 steps to 2.
Cost optimization
Customers no longer need to be on-site, significantly reducing operational and labor costs.
Secure and reliable
Built on a high-performance, secure blockchain architecture.
Powered by end-to-end encryption and smart contract technology.
Ensures secure, authentic, and reliable data transmission.
Enables precise, granular control over data access.
Green and low-carbon
Fully paperless operations throughout the process.
Significantly reduces paper usage and logistics-related carbon emissions.
Supports sustainable development in port logistics.
Technology empowerment driving transformation
The Yantian Port Blockchain Paperless Bill of Lading Switch Platform, jointly developed by YANTIAN and Yantian Port International Information Co., Ltd., leverages blockchain and advanced digital technologies to fundamentally transform traditional paper-based bill of lading switch processes. It offers customers a new generation of port services that are safer, faster, and more cost-effective.
Future outlook
With COSCO Shipping’s import bill of lading switch now fully covered across all scenarios at Yantian Port, YANTIAN and Yantian Port International Information Co., Ltd. will continue to advance the platform application and actively engage with more shipping companies and agents, enabling paperless bill of lading switch across all import services and providing cargo owners and partners within the port logistics ecosystem with faster, safer, and more reliable services.
As a pioneer in Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation for nearly 31 years, YANTIAN will continue to work closely with partners to develop and implement more innovative models for "hard and soft" connections such as Yantian-Kwai Tsing Connect, Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Rail-Sea Service, and Chengdu–Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Rail-Sea Service. In partnership with Hong Kong, YANTIAN remains committed to strengthening domestic and international connectivity, providing stable and efficient logistics corridors for the Greater Bay Area and inland regions.
Paperless is more than efficiency. It marks a new chapter in YANTIAN’s smart transformation, deepened Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation, and commitment to enabling green logistics. Stay tuned for more breakthroughs ahead.