container port at night

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port: China’s Second-Largest Port

Picture of Silver Runner Kft.

Silver Runner Kft.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is a mega port in China that ranks second in the country and third in the world in terms of cargo tonnage and container throughput.

It is a combined port that consists of Ningbo Port and Zhoushan Port, which were merged in 2006. It has 191 berths, 36 of them are deep-water. The port handles various types of cargo, such as containers, bulk, liquid, and general cargo.

container port at night

What are the features and advantages of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port?

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is located at the south wing of the Yangtze River Delta, which is one of the most developed and dynamic regions in China. It covers an area of 9,365 square kilometers and has a coastline of 650 kilometers. It is composed of five port areas: Beilun, Zhenhai, Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area, Zhoushan Islands New Area, and Daxie Development Zone.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has several features and advantages that make it a leading port in China and the world. Some of them are:

  • It has a natural deep-water harbor that can accommodate large vessels up to 400,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage). It also has a wide navigation channel that can allow two-way traffic of 300,000 DWT vessels.
  • It has a comprehensive port service system that integrates logistics, warehousing, distribution, processing, trade, finance, information, and other functions. It also has a bonded port area that offers preferential policies and incentives for import and export businesses.
  • It has a strong hinterland connection that links it with major cities and provinces in China through highways, railways, waterways, and pipelines. It also has an international airport that connects it with more than 90 domestic and foreign destinations.
  • It has a high level of automation and intelligence that enhances its efficiency and safety. It uses advanced equipment and technology such as automated container terminals, smart cranes, intelligent monitoring systems, and big data analytics.
Port with cranes and containers

What are the main trade partners and cargo types of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port?

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has a high degree of openness and connectivity with other ports around the world. According to its official website, it has established trade relations with more than 600 ports from over 100 countries and regions. It also participates in several regional and global initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to promote infrastructure and trade cooperation among Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port handles various types of cargo that reflect its diversified business portfolio. According to its annual report for 2020, it handled a total of 1.17 billion tons of cargo and 28.72 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers in that year. The main cargo types were:

  • Containers: They accounted for 24.5% of the total cargo tonnage and 97.8% of the total container throughput. The main containerized goods were machinery, electrical appliances, textiles, garments, furniture, toys, etc.
  • Bulk: They accounted for 63.8% of the total cargo tonnage and 2.2% of the total container throughput. The main bulk goods were iron ore, coal, grain, oil, etc.
  • Liquid: They accounted for 10% of the total cargo tonnage and 0% of the total container throughput. The main liquid goods were crude oil, refined oil products, chemicals, etc.
  • General: They accounted for 1.7% of the total cargo tonnage and 0% of the total container throughput. The main general goods were steel products, timber products, vehicles, etc.

What are the challenges and prospects of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port?

two containers in the air, lifted by a crane

Despite its impressive achievements, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port also faces some challenges in its operations. One of them is the impact of COVID-19 on global trade and logistics. The pandemic has disrupted the demand and supply of goods, as well as the availability and reliability of shipping services. This has affected the volume and throughput of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

To cope with the challenges posed by COVID-19, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has implemented some measures to ensure its continuity and resilience. For example:

  • It has enhanced its health and safety protocols for its staff and workers
  • It has increased its collaboration with other ports and stakeholders to coordinate responses
  • It has optimized its operation modes to reduce congestion
  • It has launched new shipping routes to expand its market

Another challenge for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is the competition from other ports in China and abroad. Some of these ports are also expanding their capacity and improving their technology to attract more cargo and customers. For example, Shanghai Port is the world’s largest port by cargo tonnage and container throughput. It is also developing its own automated terminal at Yangshan.

To maintain its edge over its competitors, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has to continue to innovate and diversify its services. One of its strategies is to develop its green port concept, which aims to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its sustainability. It plans to do so by:

  • Implementing energy-saving and emission-reduction measures
  • Promoting the use of clean energy and low-carbon transportation
  • Enhancing the protection and restoration of the marine ecosystem
  • Participating in social responsibility and public welfare activities

 

Another strategy for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is to explore new markets and sectors that have potential for growth. For example, it plans to develop its cruise terminal and marina to attract more tourists and visitors. It also plans to expand its involvement in e-commerce logistics, cold chain logistics, urban logistics, and green logistics.

lot of containers ctacked up at a container terminal

Conclusion

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is a mega port in China that ranks second in the country and third in the world in terms of cargo tonnage and container throughput. It is a combined port that consists of Ningbo Port and Zhoushan Port, which were merged in 2006. It has 191 berths, 36 of them are deep-water. The port handles various types of cargo, such as containers, bulk, liquid, and general cargo.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has several features and advantages that make it a leading port in China and the world. It has a natural deep-water harbor, a comprehensive port service system, a strong hinterland connection, and a high level of automation and intelligence.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has a high degree of openness and connectivity with other ports around the world. It has established trade relations with more than 600 ports from over 100 countries and regions. It also participates in several regional and global initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port also faces some challenges in its operations, such as the impact of COVID-19 on global trade and logistics, and the competition from other ports in China and abroad. To cope with these challenges, it has implemented some measures to ensure its continuity and resilience, such as enhancing its health and safety protocols, increasing its collaboration with other ports and stakeholders, optimizing its operation modes, and launching new shipping routes.

To maintain its edge over its competitors, it has to continue to innovate and diversify its services. One of its strategies is to develop its green port concept, which aims to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its sustainability. Another strategy is to explore new markets and sectors that have potential for growth, such as cruise tourism, e-commerce logistics, cold chain logistics, urban logistics, and green logistics.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is not only a key asset for China’s economy but also a vital link for global trade and commerce. It is a testament to China’s rapid development and innovation in the past decades. It is also a showcase of China’s vision and ambition for the future.

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