Hutchison Ports Yantian has bolstered its green shipping channel with an inaugural green shipment from ZTE Corporation (ZTE). 

The green marine freight reached YANTIAN via rail from Changsha, Hunan province, to catch Hapag-Lloyd's 24,000-TEU dual-fuel vessel “BERLIN EXPRESS”, which would transport the cargo to the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The port noted that Yantian and ZTE have maintained a close collaborative relationship since the 1990s due to mutual commitment to environmental protection.

On its own, Yantian noted that it is steadfast in developing a world-class smart and green port as it contributes to opening up the "green shipping channel". 

It said that various measures had been implemented to reduce carbon emissions, including the establishment of rail-sea intermodal routes, shore power equipment coverage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) refuelling, and conversion of gantry cranes from diesel to electric power.  

Europe is a significant high-end market for ZTE to pilot its green shipping initiative. 

"As ZTE's main port of export, YANTIAN guarantees swift delivery to destinations with its frequent and extensive European routes," it said that currently, there are 4-5 trips of shipping from YANTIAN to Europe every day.

The shortest sailing time takes only 22 days, anchoring the support for ZTE’s provision of quality and efficient green shipment.

"BERLIN EXPRESS", along with its sister vessel "MANILA EXPRESS" that called at YANTIAN earlier, are both LNG dual-fuel container vessels. 

The dual-fuel system can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15%-25% during voyages.  It also significantly decreases the emission of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, smoke, waste oil water, etc.

Clean-energy-powered vessels with endurance are gaining more presence in the industry. YANTIAN promotes barge connection services and rail-sea intermodal transportation, which lay the foundation for the provision of green logistics to its customers.

It said that 16 feeder routes, 6 port alliances, 12 inland ports, and 30 intermodal rail routes have been established, covering the Greater Bay Area, Southwest China, and Central China regions. 

From January to July this year, YANTIAN has achieved a year-on-year throughput growth of 14% for its intermodal rail transportation services. 

YANTIAN noted that it now ranks second in the country in port container throughput, citing data from the China Ports Association. 

In 2022 alone, YANTIAN handled 230,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) by rail intermodal transportation, mitigating carbon emissions by over 12,000 tons. 

"YANTIAN will continue to contribute to attaining carbon neutrality while ensuring the smooth operation of trade and supply chains by focusing on industry trends, exploring emission reduction paths, leveraging technological innovation, collaborating with partners, and empowering sustainable corporate growth," it said.