Against the backdrop of rapid changes in global trade and accelerating economic integration, China's Yangpu Port has reached a historic breakthrough in container throughput, emerging as a significant player among the nation's major ports. In the first half of this year, Yangpu Port handled 1.015 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), marking an 11.26% increase year-over-year and securing its position among China's top 20 ports for the first time.
This remarkable achievement not only underscores Yangpu Port's growing importance within China's port system but also injects new vitality into the further development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. The Yangpu International Container Terminal, as the core component of Yangpu Port, has been the direct driver of this container throughput growth.
Operational Excellence and New Routes
On the morning of July 11, under golden sunlight reflecting off the sea, the terminal buzzed with activity as container trucks shuttled busily and gantry cranes efficiently loaded and unloaded cargo under operators' precise directions. This bustling scene reflects not just operational efficiency but also the significant boost from newly opened shipping routes.
Xu Linxiang, deputy general manager of the production operation center at Hainan Port and Shipping International Port Co., Ltd., attributed the strong performance to multiple factors. "In the first half of this year, Yangpu International Container Terminal handled 936,300 TEUs , representing an 18.71% increase over the same period last year," Xu noted. "The growth in local laden containers was even more pronounced, reaching 161,900 TEUs with 28% growth ."
"This performance reflects both digital transformation achievements and new opportunities created by route expansion," Xu emphasized.
New Domestic and International Routes
Yangpu Port has launched two significant new routes this year—one domestic and one international. The domestic route establishes a fast channel between Yangpu and Shenzhen, facilitating local cargo flow, shortening delivery cycles, and improving logistics efficiency.
The international route connects Yangpu directly with Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This new Middle East route is particularly noteworthy as it provides Hainan Free Trade Port with direct access to Middle Eastern markets, significantly improving import/export efficiency for local goods and stimulating regional economic activity.
Pan Yaping, foreign trade logistics manager at Hainan Yisheng Petrochemical Co., Ltd., reported that the new route has reduced the company's transportation costs by approximately 12% . "While this percentage might seem modest, for large enterprises, these savings can be redirected to other development areas, ultimately driving broader economic growth," Pan explained.
Transformation in Shipping Efficiency
Industry analysts note that traditional shipping models required cargo from Yangpu to be transshipped through Shenzhen or Hong Kong, typically taking 22-25 days . The new Yangpu-Khalifa Port route slashes this transit time to just 13-15 days . This compression directly reduces transportation costs, enhances corporate competitiveness, and helps businesses stand out in increasingly fierce markets.
To further improve port efficiency and logistics services, Hainan Port and Shipping International Port Co., Ltd. has collaborated with multiple agencies including customs, maritime authorities, and border control to implement an innovative 24-hour appointment-based clearance system for vessels. This model streamlines clearance processes, boosts overall logistics efficiency, and enhances customer experience.
The terminal has also made significant progress in digital transformation, implementing an online operation system for barge business management that substantially improves production efficiency and operational transparency.
Regional Economic Impact
With increasing shipping routes, Danzhou Yangpu's goods trade has consistently ranked first in Hainan province. Data shows that in the first five months of this year, trade import/export volume reached 53.95 billion yuan ( $7.5 billion ), up 23.5% year-over-year.
This outstanding performance owes much to local government support, which has fostered productive collaboration between enterprises and shipping companies to ensure economic targets are met, actively promoting sustainable regional development.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Yangpu Port will continue leveraging its geographic and policy advantages to expand international markets, particularly developing routes to Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea. The port's growing convenience is creating more opportunities for Hainan's trade and economic growth, laying a solid foundation for establishing an international trade center.
To achieve its annual target of 60.6 million tons in cargo throughput, the Yangpu Transportation and Port Authority will focus on registering new vessels and expanding local companies' shipping capacity to ensure more efficient cargo transportation in the second half of the year.
Yangpu Port's development represents more than just a port's rise—it symbolizes Hainan Free Trade Port's progress and future in a globalized world. With continuous facility upgrades and logistics service optimization, Yangpu is poised to become a crucial international logistics hub connecting the Middle East and Southeast Asia, driving Hainan's comprehensive economic development and accelerating regional economic integration.
Whether in trade volume growth or cargo flow efficiency, Yangpu Port will continue providing strong support for Hainan Free Trade Port's development, offering new hope for business prosperity and economic recovery.
