In the steel industry, efficient raw material transportation has always been a critical operational challenge. A groundbreaking development has emerged at the Wuhan Yangtze River Midstream Shipping Center, where the first 86,891 freight train departed from Ezhou North Station carrying 1,750 metric tons of Australian iron ore, marking the beginning of a new era in rail-water intermodal transportation.
This innovative transport corridor resulted from close collaboration between China Railway Wuhan Group and Sanjiang Port. Located near Ezhou North Station, Sanjiang Port connects directly to its docks through a 5-kilometer dedicated railway line. Under this new model, Australian iron ore arriving by sea at Sanjiang Port is immediately transferred to rail for short-haul delivery to Ezhou Steel, creating a highly efficient logistics chain. Furthermore, steel products from Ezhou Steel can utilize Yangtze River shipping, with projected annual transport volume reaching 4 million metric tons.
Tian Jianjie, Deputy Director of Wuchang East Rolling Stock Department at China Railway Wuhan Bureau, commented: "The railway-port integration not only diversifies transport modes at Wuhan's shipping hub but significantly enhances rail-water intermodal capacity. This creates a green transport corridor for Wuhan New Port's cargo distribution while maximizing the Yangtze River's golden waterway potential."
Rail-water intermodal transport offers superior efficiency through integrated organization. Research indicates that every 1% increase in intermodal adoption boosts regional transport efficiency by 10%. With clear targets, China Railway Wuhan Group is accelerating port-connecting railway construction along Hubei's Yangtze section, planning to expand rail-linked ports to ten across the province.
This paradigm shift represents more than logistical innovation—it's a strategic economic driver. By developing multimodal transport networks, Wuhan's shipping center strengthens its infrastructure, providing robust support for regional development.
