Automated rail cranes moved containers along pre-programmed routes while driverless intelligent transport vehicles shuttled efficiently—on November 9 at 18:08, the 399.8-meter-long, 200,000-ton container ship "COSCO SHIPPING Gemini" docked at Qinzhou Port's automated terminal and immediately began loading and unloading operations.
The arrival of "COSCO SHIPPING Gemini" followed the departure of another mega-vessel, the 399.6-meter-long "CSCL Pacific," which completed unloading and left the port on November 8 at 18:30. The consecutive handling of such ultra-large container ships—mainstream in global shipping—not only set a new record for Beibu Gulf Port but also demonstrated Qinzhou Port's capability to service the world's largest vessels, positioning it among the top-tier global ports.
As the shipping industry shifts toward larger, low-carbon vessels, the frequency of ultra-large ship dockings has become a key indicator of a port's comprehensive strength. Lin Gang, Director of Trade and Logistics Development at the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park, noted, "Qinzhou Port's efficient handling of these mega-ships validates its automated operations and multi-department coordination, proving its integrated service capabilities."
Amid a critical phase of global shipping realignment, port infrastructure upgrades are vital for competitiveness. As the core hub for container operations in Beibu Gulf Port, Qinzhou Port can accommodate 200,000-ton container ships for one-way navigation and 300,000-ton oil tankers. This year, it added six new open berths.
Ultra-large ships demand strict logistics efficiency. Qinzhou Port has implemented a streamlined customs clearance model featuring "pre-declaration + direct loading upon arrival + priority inspection," with real-time data sharing among customs, railways, and the port. Tang Huijia, Chief of Qinzhou Port Customs' Logistics Monitoring Division, explained, "We innovated with customized 'one-ship-one-policy' supervision plans, reducing waiting times through 'anchorage quarantine,' saving an average of 2.66 hours per ship."
Zhang Yi, Manager of the Shipping Agency Department at Guangxi COSCO SHIPPING Container Lines, said, "High customs efficiency and robust logistics support are key reasons we chose Qinzhou Port. Continuous improvements in supply chain connectivity help Western Chinese goods access global markets faster than via the Pearl River Delta or Yangtze River Delta."
In the first three quarters of the year, Qinzhou Port handled 874,000 TEUs of foreign trade containers, up 28.4% year-on-year. Beibu Gulf Port's shipping network now spans 91 routes, covering major coastal ports in China, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia, while extending to India-Pakistan, Africa, and South America—forging a maritime corridor that links domestic and international trade loops.
After loading, "COSCO SHIPPING Gemini" will depart for Rotterdam via Qingdao, joining the Asia-Europe trade artery. Captain Qian Xia remarked, "Immediate unloading and doubled loading efficiency significantly improve our turnaround time and route planning accuracy."
Qinzhou Port is enhancing its "hub + channel + network" layout to strengthen its global hub status, injecting stronger maritime momentum into the new development paradigm and high-quality Belt and Road initiatives. Fu Yuanjia, Professor at Beibu Gulf University's School of Economics and Management, stated, "As a critical node linking Western China to global markets, Qinzhou Port's upgraded capacity provides more efficient logistics for Belt and Road trade and optimizes global shipping resource allocation."
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