On September 17, the Dongguan Port (Phase III)–Yantian Port Waterway Express (hereinafter referred to as the Dongguan–Yantian Waterway Express) officially commenced operations. Jointly developed by YANTIAN and Dongguan Port Group, the express service operates dedicated vessels on dedicated schedules between Dongguan Port and Yantian Port, providing Dongguan enterprises with a direct maritime route for import and export cargo.

Bringing Port Services to Enterprises' Doorsteps

The Dongguan–Yantian Waterway Express adopts the WGO model, extending Yantian Port's supporting services to Dongguan by water. Focusing on local export cargo in Dongguan, the service brings port support functions closer to the cargo source in the heart of the Pearl River Delta, enabling enterprises to complete export shipping preparations closer to home. This gives enterprises access to the services and support of an international hub port locally, making exports more convenient while reducing cargo repositioning costs.

For both ports, the express is more than just an additional feeder service; it also brings port support services closer to the cargo source:
• Easing logistics pressure: Replacing some road-based trucking with water transport helps relieve congestion in the land-based collection and distribution network in South China ahead of the peak holiday season.
• Reducing costs: Integrating empty-container repositioning with container return and pickup helps reduce cargo repositioning and waiting costs for enterprises.
• Ensuring schedule reliability: Dedicated vessels and dedicated schedules, together with stable access to vessel capacity and containers, better meet the tight shipping schedules required during peak seasons and periods of surging demand.
• Strengthening industrial connectivity: Connecting major industrial parks and cargo hinterlands across Dongguan and the Greater Bay Area helps strengthen the model of "shipping Dongguan cargo from Dongguan".

17 Feeder Service and More Than 90 Sailings a Week

Feeder transportation is an integral part of YANTIAN's collection and distribution network, linking the port with domestic and international markets. To date, YANTIAN has 17 feeder services, with more than 90 sailings operating each week. The network covers the Greater Bay Area as well as Central and Southwestern China, providing efficient transshipment services for more than 100 international shipping services every week.

In the first half of 2026, both feeder throughput and laden-container throughput increased by double digits year on year, reaching record highs for the same period. The Kwai Tsing–YANTIAN service also recorded double-digit year-on-year growth in both total throughput and laden-container throughput during the period.

Compared with road trucking, feeder services are well suited to moving cargo in large volumes. A single vessel can carry multiple batches of cargo, with operations less susceptible to disruptions such as holiday traffic congestion. Feeder transportation also helps reduce carbon emissions, supporting the high-quality development of China's foreign trade and contributing to the country's dual-carbon goals.

YANTIAN is taking a forward-looking approach to building a greener and more efficient logistics network across the Greater Bay Area. With the strong support of port supervisory authorities and relevant government departments, YANTIAN is working to strengthen, enhance and expand the real economy, contributing to the high-quality development of foreign trade in Shenzhen and across China.