The inaugural "Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong scheduled rail-sea service" departed from Chengdu in southwestern China on May 28, fully loaded with goods, including electrical parts.
Cargoes on the scheduled train were set to arrive at Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN) in Shenzhen within two days and reach Kwai Tsing Container Terminals in Hong Kong via barge connection within three days, marking the launch of the rail-sea service to facilitate exports to global markets.
Hutchison Ports said this follows the successful launch of the "Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong scheduled rail-sea service" last August, and will provide the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle with another stable and efficient export route.
It also marks the official activation of Chengdu Inland Port, YANTIAN's 18th inland port, further enhancing economic and trade linkages between the Chengdu-Chongqing region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
As a key Belt and Road hub city, Hutchison noted that Chengdu's collaboration with YANTIAN and Kwai Tsing Container Terminals represents a strong strategic partnership.
YANTIAN, one of the world's largest container terminals, offers an extensive international route network and collaborates closely with shipping lines, government departments, and port inspection authorities to provide frequent, diverse, efficient, and high-quality maritime services. It boasts the highest number of routes to Europe and the U.S. in the South China region and is the only port in Shenzhen with direct rail access to the terminal.
Many international shipping lines designate YANTIAN as the final South China port of call for their Europe & U.S. services. Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, meanwhile, serves as a critical gateway to Asian and South American routes.
The announcement noted that together, the two ports provide comprehensive global coverage, with daily barge connections ensuring seamless coordination and creating an express export channel for products to reach global markets efficiently.
"This inauguration of the 'Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Rail-sea service' demonstrates YANTIAN's commitment to the national strategy of building a strong transportation network and advancing green rail-sea intermodal development," Lawrence Shum, managing director of YANTIAN, said at the inaugural ceremony.
"Supported by railway authorities, this scheduled train operates with a fixed schedule, route, and price, reducing transit time from Chengdu to Yantian from six days to two, and enabling three-day delivery to Kwai Tsing Container Terminals."
He added that the service allows goods to be shipped to over 200 countries and regions, providing a more stable, efficient, and low-carbon export channel for Chengdu's foreign trade enterprises, with shared benefits for Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Wang Ping, deputy director of the Chengdu Port & Logistics Office and the representative of the Qingbaijiang District Government of Chengdu City said, "YANTIAN's Chengdu Inland Port strengthens the connection creating synergy between the enhanced connectivity in operations, port resources and logistics data among Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, thereby reducing costs, improving logistics efficiency and supporting the high-quality development of foreign trade in these three cities."
Cai Xin, deputy director-general, Transportation Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, added that the "Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong scheduled service" has established a key logistics channel linking the GBA with the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.
"It unites Chengdu's robust manufacturing sector, Shenzhen's international shipping capacities, and Hong Kong's financial and trade services, driving momentum for China’s new development model," he said.
Amy Chan, deputy secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government, said the Kwai Tsing and Yantian ports are highly complementary in their shipping routes, with YANTIAN focusing on Europe and America, while Kwai Tsing concentrates on Asia, Africa and Latin America.
"By joining hands together, both ports are now connected to destinations around the globe and set a benchmark for port collaboration within the Greater Bay Area," she said, adding that the official launch marks a "new era" in Hong Kong's and Shenzhen's efforts to promote high-quality foreign trade development.
Yihong Zhang, director of the Railway Freight Department of China Railway Guangzhou Group, expressed commitment to building a logistics corridor that connects Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hong Kong through a 2,100-kilometre railway network.
During the ceremony, representatives from Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hong Kong also signed two strategic cooperation agreements: "Chengdu-Shenzhen Inland Port Strategic Cooperation Agreement" and the "Chengdu–Shenzhen-Hong Kong Rail-Sea Corridor Strategic Cooperation Agreement."
"Closer cooperation between YANTIAN and Kwai Tsing ports allows us to leverage the advantages of both ports and fulfil our vision of 'internal connectivity, external reach'. It integrates the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and other inland regions with the GBA, fostering mutual growth," Shum of YANTIAN said.
"We will continue to support efficient outbound trade for inland goods through 32 rail-sea intermodal routes, a dense barge network, and reliable shipping services. By coordinating with the government, Customs, and enterprises, we not only strengthen Shenzhen as a global logistics hub and reinforce Hong Kong's role as an international maritime centre but also enhance the overall international competitiveness of the GBA."
YANTIAN has nearly 100 weekly services and handles over one-third of Guangdong Province's foreign trade import and export volume and more than a quarter of the nation’s exports to the U.S. It is also one of the preferred ports for mega vessels worldwide, with 100% of the world's largest container ships calling at the Greater Bay Area dock at YANTIAN.
Goods shipped from YANTIAN can reach the U.S. West Coast in just over 12.5 days, and Australia in around 11 days.
As of now, YANTIAN has launched 18 inland ports, 32 rail-sea intermodal routes, 14 barge partner ports, and 17 feeder barge lines, with service coverage extending across the Greater Bay Area, southwest, and central China.
Environmental contribution
YANTIAN noted that rail freight emits only about one-eleventh of the carbon emissions of road freight, and each fully loaded Yantian-bound rail-sea train can replace the equivalent of 100 heavy-duty trucks in carbon output.
"This inland port model, replacing traditional road freight with rail-sea intermodal trains, significantly contributes to reducing environmental pollution and safety risks, lowering energy consumption costs, easing road congestion, optimising transportation structures," it said.
