Port Louis, Mauritius' largest commercial port, is strategically located in a northwestern coastal fjord as a key South Indian Ocean shipping hub. Featuring multiple berths for containers, bulk cargo and oil, it also has dedicated sugar export terminals with excellent vessel reception capacity ensuring efficient and secure operations. Its prime location establishes Port Louis as a vital East African trade center.
Corinto Port is a crucial maritime hub in Nicaragua, strategically located in Central America, connecting regional shipping networks. With well-developed facilities, the port handles over 60% of Nicaragua's export cargo, serving as a powerful engine for the country's economic development. It acts as a vital bridge connecting Central America to global markets, facilitating trade and contributing significantly to the region's economy.
The Port of Ponta Delgada, located in the Azores archipelago of Portugal, is a crucial maritime hub connecting Europe, North America, and Africa. The port offers 24-hour pilotage services and boasts comprehensive facilities, including ship repair, bunkering, and provisioning, while adhering to strict environmental regulations. Its strategic location and complete range of services make it an ideal gateway to the European market.
Bontang Airport (BXT) is an important airport in Bontang, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. While not a customs airport, it is crucial for the local economy and the movement of people. As a regional aviation hub, it connects East Kalimantan with other regions of Indonesia, facilitating trade and cultural exchange. Its presence supports regional connectivity and plays a significant role in the area's overall development.
Zhengzhou Airport plans to add a dedicated freight runway and actively promote testing of short-distance drone logistics to strengthen its position as an international logistics center and drive high-quality local economic development. Despite some achievements, the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone faces challenges such as a weak industrial structure and insufficient innovation capacity, necessitating the establishment of a modern industrial system. In the future, the integration of air transport with road and high-speed rail will optimize resource allocation and enhance logistics efficiency.
In early 2022, facing the dual challenges of epidemic lockdowns and highway transportation disruptions, Dashun Logistics quickly adapted its plan. It switched from sea freight to rail transport, successfully delivering goods to a customer in Changchun. This case demonstrates Dashun Logistics' flexibility and customer-centric service philosophy during special periods, as well as its strong supply chain coordination capabilities. It provides valuable lessons for other logistics companies on how to maintain operations and fulfill commitments amidst unforeseen crises by proactively adapting to changing circumstances.
China's modern railway logistics system is rapidly advancing to reduce overall logistics costs and support the development of the real economy. With the 'Single Document' model of the Iron-Sea Express, companies can simplify logistics connections and increase transportation efficiency by 40%. To date, 165 railway logistics bases have been established, with 340 direct express freight routes in operation and 186 logistics bundle projects underway. Future efforts will focus on enhancing key regional infrastructures to improve competitive transport markets and promote high-quality economic growth.
With the changes in global trade patterns and technological advancements, the demand for air cargo has significantly increased. The need to transport over 10,000 tons of goods has established a requirement for both wide-body and narrow-body cargo aircraft. Narrow-body aircraft are suitable for small-scale transportation due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, while wide-body aircraft dominate in the transportation of bulk goods. Although China still lags in the number of large cargo aircraft, the market development potential remains enormous.
Zhongtian Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. has recently transitioned from waterway to railway transportation, successfully dispatching 42 freight cars to Ningbo. The new pricing policy by China Railway Corporation, which charges based on actual weight, has provided significant logistics cost advantages for the company. The Nanjing Freight Center has offered customized solutions, reducing overall expenses. The high timeliness and stability of railway transport have led Zhongtian Steel to shift more cargo to rail, which is expected to enhance its overall logistics management efficiency.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in railway freight reform, particularly with innovations in express transportation models. New fast freight trains not only enhance transportation speed and service quality but also reduce logistics costs, driving regional economic development. The railway corporation is committed to building modern logistics enterprises, fully leveraging the green advantages of railway transport, and continuously adapting to market demands to promote supply-side reform. This series of reform measures will bring new development opportunities to the railway freight industry in the future.
