On December 4, the "Yantian Port–Changsha Inland Port Plaque Unveiling and Rail-Sea Service Promotion Conference" successfully held in Changsha, marking the official inauguration of YANTIAN's 29th inland port and ushering in a new stage of cooperation between Shenzhen and Hunan.

Senior officials in attendance included Liu Delin, Director of the Port Office of the Hunan Provincial People's Government, Feng Weimin, Deputy Director of the Changsha Municipal Logistics and Port Office, Li Guantao, Deputy Director of the Port and Shipping Administration of the Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Wang Qiang, Manager of the Logistics Business Department of China Railway Guangzhou, and Wang Weiming, Deputy General Manager of the Changsha Railway Logistics Centre of China Railway Guangzhou. Together with Chen Biao, Deputy Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, they jointly witnessed this milestone moment, opening a new chapter in Hunan-Shenzhen cooperation.

Strong partnership delivers remarkable results: Changsha–YANTIAN cargo volumes up 90%

In recent years, YANTIAN has worked closely with the Changsha Municipal Government and China Railway Guangzhou to advance the development of rail-sea services, delivering tangible results. From January to November this year, rail-sea cargo volumes between Changsha and YANTIAN surged by 90% year on year, reflecting robust growth momentum. Previously, the "Liling-YANTIAN" rail-sea service was selected as a national exemplary case of developing container rail-sea intermodal brand services. Through this service, cargoes from Liling can reach YANTIAN in just 16 hours, setting a benchmark for regional logistics collaboration.

Liu Delin, Director of the Port Office of the Hunan Provincial People's Government, noted that the establishment of the Yantian Port’s inland port in Changsha represents a major milestone in deepening cooperation between Hunan and Shenzhen, while also strengthening and complementing Hunan's international trade corridor network. It will create a cost-effective, efficient, and convenient gateway to global markets for international trade enterprises in Changsha and across the province, helping reduce overall logistics costs, shorten transit times, and further enhance the global competitiveness of Hunan-made products.

Bringing port functions inland to support Hunan-made products going global

The launch of the Yantian Port’s inland port in Changsha is a key initiative to deepen port coordination between Hunan and Shenzhen and improve international trade connectivity. By extending port and customs functions inland, and leveraging rail connectivity and coordinated customs clearance, enterprises in Changsha can access one-stop services—including booking, customs declaration, inspection, and container stuffing—right at their doorstep. This significantly reduces comprehensive logistics costs and establishes an economical, efficient, and convenient export channel for Hunan-made products to reach global markets.

In his remarks, Li Guantao, Deputy Director of the Port and Shipping Administration of the Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, said that the Changsha inland port will integrate Shenzhen Port's international shipping resources with the economic strengths of Hunan's hinterland, providing strong support for Hunan enterprises to connect with global markets and enhance their international competitiveness.

Chen Biao, Deputy Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, noted that Changsha, as a key hub for high-quality development and opening-up in central China, has demonstrated strong momentum in international trade growth, providing a solid foundation for deeper regional collaboration. Leveraging its global shipping network, YANTIAN will support Changsha in developing into a major logistics gateway in central China with strong global connectivity.

Global shipping hub strengthening inland international trade

In 2025, YANTIAN has 12 new inland ports—Chengdu, Zhuzhou, Longnan, Hengyang, Shilong, Shaoguan, Sanshui West, Dingnan, Zengcheng, Ruijin, Yangjiang, and Changsha—bringing its inland port network to a total of 29. At the same time, YANTIAN has developed 34 rail-sea services, forming an extensive, efficiently connected inland service network.

On November 27, the YANTIAN–Yangjiang Inland Port Plaque Unveiling and Rail-Sea Promotion Conference was successfully held in Yangjiang. Since its launch in July 2023, the Yangjiang–YANTIAN rail-sea service has gained broad recognition among local international trade enterprises, driven by innovative solutions such as the pre-positioned container service. From January to October this year, cargo volumes on this service increased by 30% year on year.

Working in close alignment with government and enterprise partners to deliver shared success, YANTIAN will continue to advance the integrated development of port, industry, and city, strengthen connectivity and coordination with ports across the Greater Bay Area, and support the high-quality growth of international trade. YANTIAN looks forward to sustained collaboration with all stakeholders to enable "Made in China" products to reach global markets more efficiently through rail-sea services.

As one of the world's largest single container terminals and a core shipping hub in the Greater Bay Area, YANTIAN has the most extensive international shipping network in South China, with hundreds of weekly services connecting to destinations worldwide. According to official data, YANTIAN handles more than 1/3 of Guangdong Province's international trade cargo and over 1/4 of China's exports to the United States.

Looking ahead, YANTIAN will work with partners to advance the platform-based upgrading of inland ports, explore innovative models such as port alliances, and fully roll out trade facilitation measures including “shipside pickup” and “shipside loading”. Through continuous improvements to the port business environment, YANTIAN will contribute to building a new dual-circulation development paradigm and fostering higher-quality growth in international trade.

Contact of YANTIAN Rail-Sea Services

Changsha: Ms. Li
📱Tel: +86 17717222467
+86 (755) 2529 6466
📮Email: lyra.li@pingyan.com.cn

Yangjiang: Ms. Song
📱Tel: +86 13265597872
+86 (755) 2529 6237
📮Email: Faerie.Song@pingyan.com.cn