China’s Waterway Freight Volume Surpasses 9 Billion Tons, DemonstratingResilience and Potential
BEIJING – China’s waterway freight volumehas reached a new milestone, exceeding 9 billion tons in 2023, marking a significant increase and highlighting the resilience and potential of this crucial modeof transportation. This achievement represents a doubling of the volume recorded in 2012, showcasing the country’s commitment to strengthening its waterway infrastructure and optimizingits logistics network.
Waterway transportation, characterized by its high carrying capacity, low transportation costs, and reduced energy consumption, plays a vital role in China’s comprehensive transportation system. It serves as a powerful support for economic and social development, particularly in facilitating the flow of goods both domestically and internationally.
A Network of Ports and Waterways
China boasts a vast network of ports and waterways, with over 83,000 vessels navigating its waters daily.This intricate system facilitates the movement of approximately 2.56 million tons of cargo to their destinations each day.
In 2023, waterway freight volume and waterway cargo turnover accounted for 17.1% and 54% respectively of the total volume in China’s comprehensive transportation system.Notably, maritime transportation shoulders the responsibility of handling around 95% of China’s foreign trade transportation.
Growth Fueled by Infrastructure and Market Demand
The sustained growth in waterway freight volume can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the ongoing adjustment of the transportation structure and the continuous improvement of watertransport infrastructure.
Significant efforts have been made to optimize the transportation structure, unleashing the potential of waterway transportation. For instance, the launch of container train services connecting Tianjin Port with inland destinations has facilitated the efficient movement of goods, further enhancing the role of waterway transportation in the logistics chain.
Moreover, the development ofworld-class ports like Shanghai Port and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has significantly boosted the capacity and efficiency of waterway transportation. Shanghai Port, the world’s largest container port, continues to handle a massive volume of cargo, including the export of over 610,000 domestically produced automobiles in thefirst half of 2024.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world’s busiest port in terms of cargo throughput, has witnessed a remarkable increase in its volume, reaching 708 million tons in the first half of 2024, a 4.2% increaseyear-on-year. This growth is driven by the opening of new international routes and the expansion of rail-water intermodal services, further strengthening the port’s role in connecting China with global markets.
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable and Efficient Future
The impressive growth in waterway freight volume underscores the importanceof this mode of transportation in China’s economic development. The country is committed to further enhancing its waterway infrastructure, promoting the use of cleaner and more efficient vessels, and fostering a more sustainable transportation system.
As China continues to prioritize sustainable development, waterway transportation is poised to play an even more critical role in the future. By leveraging its inherent advantages in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, waterway transportation will contribute significantly to the country’s efforts to achieve its ambitious environmental goals.
The continued growth of waterway freight volume in China is a testament to the country’s commitment to building a robust and efficient transportation system. This commitment willundoubtedly drive further innovation and development in the sector, ensuring that waterway transportation remains a cornerstone of China’s economic success for years to come.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/cj/2024/08-27/10275094.shtml
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