First Pilot Operation of the "Parallel Port" Logistics Model Successfully Launched in Zhanjiang
On September 26, at the Baoman Container Terminal of Zhanjiang Port, the "Nanhang 757" vessel, loaded with foreign trade export goods such as white cardboard and printing paper, along with domestic trade goods like soybean meal, sounded its horn and set sail for Yangpu Port in Hainan after releasing the final mooring line. This marks the successful launch of the first pilot operation under the "Parallel Port" logistics model reform, introducing a new platform for Zhanjiang to support the coordinated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port. The Mayor of Zhanjiang, Zeng Jinze, the Director of Zhanjiang Customs, Huang Guohua, and the Chief Executive Officer of CMPort, Xu Song, witnessed the official commencement of the "Parallel Port" logistics model reform pilot.
It is reported that the "Nanhang 757" will unload part of its cargo—paper products bound for export to Southeast Asia via transshipment at Yangpu Port and domestic trade goods such as soybean meal—before loading additional domestic cargo from Hainan and continuing to Shekou Port in Shenzhen. At Shekou Port, the foreign trade goods will be transferred to a direct ocean route, bound for export to countries such as Turkey and Greece.
The "Parallel Port" logistics model was jointly developed by Zhanjiang Customs, Shenzhen Customs, and Haikou Customs, in coordination with the ports of Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, and Hainan, under the guidance of the General Administration of Customs. This model leverages Zhanjiang's strategic location, connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the Hainan Free Trade Port, and promotes an integrated reform of maritime "loop liner" services. Under this model, enterprises from the three regions can independently consolidate six types of cargo—domestic trade, foreign trade, imports, exports, empty containers, and loaded containers—on the same vessel, and load and unload cargo at any of the pilot ports (Shekou Port in Shenzhen, Zhanjiang Port, and Yangpu Port in Hainan) based on logistical needs. This enables the simultaneous integration of domestic and foreign trade, multimodal transport by sea and land, and multi-directional feeder services between ports. By sharing shipping route resources, this model maximizes the vessel load rate between the three ports, significantly reduces container logistics costs, and facilitates more efficient cargo consolidation and distribution, making it easier to "buy globally," "sell globally," and "connect globally."
It is understood that to ensure the reform is both flexible and well-regulated, Zhanjiang Customs has fully utilized the achievements of the smart customs system and innovatively implemented the "Tri-Customs Collaboration, Single Location Clearance" mechanism. A supporting technical system for the "Parallel Port" logistics model was developed, featuring an ERP-like networked supervision system for ports. This system uses cross-verification of internal and external data, correlation calculations, and intelligent analysis to achieve smart, precise, and seamless supervision. Through this, the process of "one-time customs declaration, one-time inspection, and one-time release" is realized, further improving customs clearance efficiency and enhancing trade facilitation. Meanwhile, the three customs authorities and ports from the three regions signed cooperation agreements and contact protocols, deepening their collaboration to ensure the smooth operation of the "Parallel Port" logistics model.
According to estimates from port and shipping companies, once the "Parallel Port" logistics model is fully operational, the vessel load rate between the three ports is expected to increase from the current 30% to as high as 80%, with a reduction of more than 50% in deployed shipping capacity. Container logistics costs will also be significantly reduced. The smoother regional logistics flow between the three locations will create a positive cycle where logistics promotes trade, trade promotes industry, and industry fosters development, advancing the high-quality integrated development of the Qiongzhou Strait region. This will inject new momentum into the coordinated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Officials from Zhanjiang Customs, Shenzhen Customs, Haikou Customs, CMPort, Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co. Ltd., COSCO Shipping Lines (HUANAN) Co. Ltd., Zhanjiang Immigration Inspection Station, Zhanjiang Maritime Safety Administration, and Zhanjiang's Commerce Bureau, Transportation Bureau, Development and Reform Bureau, and Industry and Information Technology Bureau participated in the event.