The inaugural "Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Train" for cargo kicked off its maiden voyage on August 20, fully loaded with automotive parts, electronic products, and other goods.
The train is expected to arrive at Yantian Port in Shenzhen (YANTIAN) in 2 days before being transferred to Kwai Tsing Port in Hong Kong for shipment to worldwide destinations.
In a statement, Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN) —which also marked the official opening of its Tuanjie Village Station in Chongqing, one of its 16th inland ports—said the launch of this scheduled train provides Chongqing's foreign trade enterprises with a more stable, efficient, low-carbon export route.
"This closer cooperation between Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong will enhance connectivity between the Chengdu-Chongqing region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Greater Bay Area)," it added.
YANTIAN noted that the "Chongqing-Shenzhen Service" has been organised according to a fixed timetable, offering stable and reliable departure times as well as reducing the transport time from Chongqing to YANTIAN from 5 days to just 2 days.
Furthermore, the launch of the "Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Service" enables cargoes from the Chengdu-Chongqing area to reach Kwai Tsing Port in Hong Kong within 3 days.
"By deepening collaboration between YANTIAN and Kwai Tsing, we can fully leverage the complementary advantages of the foreign trade routes of both port areas, establishing an efficient logistics system that connects major ports worldwide for mutual benefits of inland areas like Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong," said Lawrence Shum, managing director of YANTIAN.
He noted that YANTIAN is the most densely connected port area in South China for European and American routes, whereas Kwai Tsing Port primarily serves the Asian and South American markets, boasting the largest number of related routes in the Greater Bay Area.
The two ports have been cooperating on a stable barge service for nearly 31 years.
Sea-rail intermodal transport
Xu Min, deputy director of the Port and Maritime Administration of Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, said the official launch of the Chongqing inland port would further promote the development of sea-rail intermodal transport between Chongqing and Shenzhen, facilitating smoother logistics channels between the Greater Bay Area and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, thus providing a fast route for inland import and export goods to reach global markets.
"The Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Chongqing facilitate opening up via energising connections between sea and land, as well as that between East and West," he added.
Klaus Chan, principal assistant secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, remarked, "The new mode of 'Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Service' will significantly expand the catchment and freight volumes of both Hong Kong and Yantian Ports."
"It will also help Chongqing develop into a regional sea-rail logistics hub, as more cargoes from neighbouring areas gather and set sail via the scheduled train. It also enables the Greater Bay Area to better serve and contribute to the nation’s development," Chan said.
YANTIAN owns an exclusive railway in Shenzhen that provides direct access to the port area.
Coupling with the domestic and overseas resources of its shareholders, Hutchison Ports and Shenzhen Port Group, this integration spearheaded by YANTIAN streamlines transportation routes for businesses in Chongqing, especially in the electronics and automotive manufacturing sectors, significantly enhancing logistics efficiency and international competitiveness.
The announcement noted that YANTIAN's sea-rail intermodal transport volume had achieved double-digit growth for 5 consecutive years from 2019 to 2023 and set a new historical record in 2023, cementing Shenzhen's leading position nationwide in foreign trade exports for the 31st consecutive year.
"Looking ahead, YANTIAN will continue to collaborate with various parties to initiate innovative city-to-city collaborations among Chongqing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. We aim to help Shenzhen accelerate its development into a globally influential logistics centre," Shum of YANTIAN said.
"Our goal is to reinforce and elevate Hong Kong's position as an international shipping and trade centre, collectively enhancing the overall international competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area. This will also contribute to the national "dual carbon" targets and promote the high-quality development of foreign trade," he added.
