According to Shenzhen Customs, the city's foreign trade made a strong start in the first two months of the year, with total imports and exports exceeding CNY800 billion, the only city nationwide to reach this scale. Exports totalled CNY494.4 billion, up 35.5% year-on-year and marking a record high for the same period. Building on its achievement of ranking first among Chinese mainland cities in exports for 33 consecutive years, Shenzhen continues to demonstrate robust growth momentum. (For more details, please refer to the video at the end of the article)

Behind these impressive figures, YANTIAN, an integral node in the global supply chain, is continuously strengthening its shipping network, injecting fresh momentum into regional economic and trade cooperation.

Expanding Asia Services, Unlocking New Momentum

As the Asia-Pacific region remains a key engine of global economic growth, China will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen this November. As the core maritime hub of the host city, YANTIAN is well positioned to seize this strategic opportunity, further enhancing service density and service efficiency to deepen regional cooperation.

As a major gateway for China's import and export trade, YANTIAN boasts the most extensive international shipping network in South China, with around 100 weekly services connecting to destinations worldwide—serving as a vital trade gateway for APEC economies as well. By continuously expanding its trade links across the Asia-Pacific, YANTIAN is further strengthening its partner network and will continue to enhance its service coverage to APEC economies in the years ahead.

Riding on Shenzhen's strong and steady foreign trade performance, together with the momentum generated by the upcoming APEC event, YANTIAN will continue to refine and expand its shipping network, particularly by strengthening connectivity with major ports across APEC economies. In doing so, it aims to further consolidate its position as a "world-class shipping hub" and establish itself as a pivotal strategic gateway linking Shenzhen and China to the world while serving the Asia-Pacific, providing robust support for regional economic integration and sustained trade growth.

Harnessing Synergies to Unlock New Opportunities in Asia-Pacific Cooperation

On March 26, YANTIAN hosted the APEC Shenzhen–YANTIAN–Laem Chabang–Sihanoukville New Service SKV/CSX Promotion Event. Centred on the service's operational features and Asia-Pacific supply chain collaboration, the event brought together nearly 200 representatives, including the Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou and delegation members, officials from the Consulate's Customs, Agriculture, and Commercial sections, as well as representatives from the Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau, the Yantian District People's Government, the Yantian Administration of the Municipal Transport Bureau, shipping lines, import-export enterprises, logistics providers, and supply chain service organizations.

At the event, Kajtiti Wiwatwanont, Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Guangzhou, noted that the new service is closely aligned with two major national strategies—the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor. He highlighted its potential to significantly boost bilateral trade and enhance industrial and supply chain coordination between China and Thailand. The service is also expected to become a key enabler of regional connectivity and an important gateway for APEC business collaboration.

Abdallah Metanes, CEO of Gold Star Line, emphasised the service's competitive advantages, including shortened transit times, dependable schedules, and direct calls at key ports in Thailand and Cambodia. These strengths will help customers accelerate time-to-market, optimise inventory management, and enhance supply chain resilience. By calling at YANTIAN, cargo from Thailand and Cambodia can seamlessly integrate into YANTIAN’s extensive global network, enabling efficient access to major markets beyond Asia.

Yan Hansong, Managing Director of X-PRESS FEEDERS Greater China, remarked that the launch of the service reflects years of collaborative effort and embodies the trust and strong support of YANTIAN, its partners, and the wider industry. As a supporting initiative for the APEC meetings to be held in Shenzhen in 2026, it represents a meaningful contribution to YANTIAN, Shenzhen, and all stakeholders involved.

Hu Chaoyang, Chairman of Shenzhen Port Group, stated that the new service will further enhance Yantian Port's shipping network across Southeast Asia, reinforce its role as a leading international transshipment hub, and deepen connectivity between Shenzhen and APEC member economies. Seizing the strategic opportunity presented by the APEC meetings, Yantian Port will focus on serving APEC while elevating port service capabilities and competitiveness, accelerating the development of new international services to APEC economies, expanding its network of partner ports, and advancing the joint development of green shipping corridors.

Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, welcomed the guests and remarked that "the new service will further elevate the standard of import and export supply chain services across Asia." Amid ongoing uncertainties in global trade and supply chains, YANTIAN remains firmly committed to delivering convenient, reliable, and efficient logistics solutions, while continuing to reinforce its position as a pivotal hub for global trade connectivity.

Allen Leung, Line Director of Gold Star Line, and Queenie Li, Line Manager of Gold Star Line, noted in their introduction to the new service that "it not only facilitates efficient trade connectivity between South China, Thailand and Cambodia, but also capitalises on YANTIAN's strengths as a hub port to achieve seamless integration with the global shipping network, thereby establishing a highly efficient and well-connected international logistics corridor." Crystal Pang, General Manager of Carrier & Intermodal Transportation Services, Commercial, Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, outlined the service's core operational strengths: steady growth across traditional markets in Europe and the United States; robust expansion in emerging markets including Australia and New Zealand, South America and Asia; efficient and reliable operational support; industry-leading supporting facilities nationwide; tangible progress in green and low-carbon development; and ongoing innovation in smart services. She expressed the hope that all parties would deepen collaboration, unlock further route potential, and realise mutually beneficial outcomes.

The new service operates on a fixed weekly schedule, delivering stable and efficient direct connections between South China, Thailand, and Cambodia. Closely aligned with the evolving needs of regional industry and trade, it further strengthens supply chain coordination and provides enterprises across the three locations with a more convenient, reliable, and efficient logistics solution. This initiative not only underscores YANTIAN's commitment to and forward-looking positioning in APEC markets, but also represents a concrete step in supporting Shenzhen's high-quality foreign trade development and advancing cooperation under the APEC framework.

The two key ports served by the new service play pivotal roles in regional trade.

Laem Chabang Port, Thailand's largest deep-water container port, forms a core component of the country's national strategy—the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Handling around 80% of Thailand's container throughput, it serves as a vital gateway connecting Southeast Asia with global markets. Hutchison Ports operates multiple terminals at Laem Chabang and, as the country's largest container terminal operator, handles over one-third of the port's total container volume. Building on the close collaboration between Hutchison Ports and YANTIAN, the service further streamlines the "maritime expressway" for China–Thailand trade, enabling Thai enterprises to connect more efficiently with global markets.

Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia's largest port and principal hub for foreign trade, handles approximately 80% of the country's seaborne cargo. In recent years, Cambodia has emerged as a key destination for the relocation of light manufacturing industries from China, particularly in sectors such as garments and footwear. Therefore, logistics demand between Cambodia and South China—especially with YANTIAN, a major export hub for electronics and high value-added cargoes—continues to grow rapidly.

Seizing the strategic opportunity of the APEC meetings in Shenzhen, YANTIAN will continue to expand its global shipping network, strengthening supply chain connectivity worldwide and building a higher-standard international shipping hub. The port will contribute to Shenzhen's drive to become a logistics centre with global influence, help consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's position as a leading international maritime hub, and jointly advance the Greater Bay Area's global competitiveness—all while supporting China's dual carbon goals and promoting the high-quality development of international trade.