China: Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT), in cooperation with Zhongshan Port & Shipping Enterprise Group, has launched a shuttle barge service from Yantian to Xiaolan.
Xiaolan Port Cargo Transportation Related Co, a unit of Zhongshan, will service factories in and around the town of Xiaolan, an area with many large facilities manufacturing electronics, appliances, hardware and furniture.
These goods will be barged to YICT, in a transport system which is said to be more convenient, cost-effective and eco-friendly than trucking.
Manufacturers would also benefit from speedy batch transport for Yantian Dapeng customs clearance.
One 118TEU barge will be deployed from Xiaolan Port on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a 16-hour overnight transit to Yantian. The barge will then head back to Xiaolan the same day. Additional vessels covering Zhongshan and Shenwan ports will be deployed once cargo volume increases.
Tracey Jia