In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in rail-water intermodal transportation, achieving significant results in optimizing its transport structure. However, the sector still faces multiple development challenges, primarily manifested in inadequate infrastructure connectivity, insufficient railway capacity for port collection and distribution, and an imbalance in road-rail pricing ratios. These issues demand concerted efforts from all stakeholders to resolve.
To further advance rail-water intermodal transport, China must implement "three enhancements": seamless infrastructure connectivity, efficient cargo organization, and convenient, high-quality transport services. These measures will collectively improve overall intermodal efficiency and service levels.
I. Enhancing Seamless Infrastructure Connectivity
The physical connection between ports and railways serves as the cornerstone for developing rail-water intermodal transport. Currently, many Chinese ports suffer from "port-station separation," where railway yards are physically disconnected from port facilities. This structural issue not hinders effective rail-water coordination but also forces reliance on road transport for short-distance haulage.
Future planning must prioritize integrated port-rail coordination, particularly in constructing dedicated railways for bulk cargo collection and distribution. Simultaneously, authorities should maximize existing railway capacity through operational optimization to alleviate congestion and ensure smooth transportation flows.
II. Enhancing Efficient Cargo Organization
Successful intermodal operations require robust cargo organization mechanisms. Railway operators, ports, and shipping companies should engage in joint marketing campaigns to attract more cargo sources, with particular focus on securing partnerships with major industrial enterprises.
The development of diversified backhaul transport systems is equally crucial to break single-commodity transport limitations. Enhanced capacity for ore, steel, and other commodity shipments must be accompanied by dynamic cargo adjustment mechanisms to optimize resource utilization.
III. Enhancing Convenient, High-Quality Transport Services
Superior service quality forms the foundation for improving intermodal efficiency. Ports should grant priority handling rights to rail-transported cargo to ensure rapid transfer. The industry must also explore supply chain extension services that address needs across production and consumption cycles while streamlining operational processes.
Further optimization of railway pricing strategies will help reduce multimodal transport costs, providing long-term financial sustainability for participating enterprises.
At this critical juncture in China's rail-water intermodal development, new challenges demand pragmatic, step-by-step solutions. Guided by national policies, all stakeholders must collaborate to implement detailed operational improvements that will secure competitive advantages in this emerging sector while achieving high-quality development objectives.
Through these proposed measures, China can accelerate solutions to current bottlenecks in rail-water intermodal transport, elevate overall service standards, promote high-quality economic growth, and contribute to building a modern transportation system.
