Liangjiang New Area Diversifies into International Logistics Channels

CHONGQING, China, Nov. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Liangjiang New Area in Chongqing, 2,000 kilometers from the sea, is reshaping its international logistics channels.

Cainiao Internet Technology, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba's new courier service, signed an investment agreement with the Administrative Committee of Liangjiang New Area on November 19, vowing to build a logistics warehousing base dependent on big data, network finance, information services and cloud computing.

A well-developed logistics system is a must for an inland city like Chongqing to develop international trade. In addition, the area is coordinating with local customs on a clearance "highway" for goods to help build a convenient and efficient international logistics channel.

"Air, Land and Sea"

Chongqing has invested continuously in upgrading its built-in logistics system of "air, land and sea". Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport launched a 28.2-billion-yuan expansion project of its eastern terminal following the August 2013 completion of the T2 terminal, adding a 530,000-square-meter T3 terminal and a 3,800-meter runway.

Cuntan Port and Guoyuan Port, the cargo terminals in Liangjiang New Area, are being expanded as well.

"Cuntan Port has reached an annual throughput of 1.4 million TEUs... Guoyuan Port is estimated to attain an annual throughput of 2 million TEUs after completion in 2015 to become the largest through transport port of water, railways and roads in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River," said Huang Qu, deputy manager of the Development & Management Company of Chongqing Bonded Port Area.

Chongqing also is sparing no effort to increase freight trains on the "Yuxinou" (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) International Railway.

Presently, goods in Liangjiang New Area are imported and exported via the international logistics channels of "One River, Two Wings and Three Oceans". According to the Administrative Committee of Liangjiang New Area, "One River" refers to the Yangtze River linking the Pacific; "Two Wings" are the "Yuxin'ou" International Railway along the northwest wing of Chongqing to Holland, connecting the Atlantic, and Yudian (Chongqing-Yunnan) Railway along the southwest wing to the Indian Ocean.

Cargo Clearance "Expressway"

Chongqing has also actively established an "expressway" for cargo clearance; the operation of Yuxin'ou International Railway is a small part in the city's long-term plan.

In September 2011, customs authorities in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany signed a "one-card" agreement, indicating the establishment of the railway transportation alliance and the normalized operation of Yuxin'ou.

"At present, Yuxin'ou Railway operates one train per day," said Huang Qu, vice general manager at Chongqing Bonded Port Development and Management Co., Ltd. With the great support of the General Administration of Customs, Chongqing has been listed in the Sino-European SSTL (Secure Smart Trade Line) Pilot Program. As a result, the new area realized over USD 20 billion in gross import-export value from January to September 2013, up roughly 20% over the same period of last year, accounting for nearly 42 percent of the city's total.