During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Lianyungang Port has systematically advanced its hub capacity enhancement and network expansion with an open and cooperative "circle of friends" approach, delivering tangible connectivity results: container shipping routes increased to 99, while breakbulk and ro-ro routes expanded to 29. Domestic sea-rail intermodal corridors grew to 25, and river-sea联运通道 reached 14. These numbers reflect Lianyungang Port’s strategic resolve in driving open development through collaborative thinking.
From here, goods flow seamlessly between rivers and seas; from here, partnerships跨越山海. Lianyungang Port is now writing a new chapter in共建共用 the New Eurasian Land-Sea联运通道 as a pivotal hub.
**Global Reach of the "Circle of Friends" Highlights Strong Support Role** "It has been 12 years since Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) officially partnered with Lianyungang Port," said Arkin, Deputy General Manager of Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co., Ltd. This year, he witnessed several milestones: the launch of Phase I of the Aktau Port container hub project, the operationalization of 10 broad-gauge tracks at the Khorgos-Dry Port, the resumption of Kazakh wheat transit services, and the departure of the 7,000th China-Europe (Asia) freight train from the Lianyungang logistics base.
"Nothing is more satisfying than seeing containers unloaded from trains and shipped overseas," Arkin remarked. From establishing benchmark projects to providing a Pacific gateway, Lianyungang Port has built an integrated "three-hub" operational framework, delivering concrete achievements.
This role as a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative has expanded Lianyungang Port’s Central Asian "circle of friends." During the 14th Five-Year Plan, the port added a fixed Central Asia route and multiple特色线路 to South Korea and Thailand. It also signed strategic agreements with Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) and the Xinjiang Kizilsu government, as well as memorandums with Uzbekistan Railways and Azerbaijan Railways, further clarifying its跨里海 network.
**North-South Coordination Advances Steadily** Since 2022, Lianyungang Port has actively pursued northern opportunities, forging an "ice and snow" partnership. The voyage of the "MONCHEGORSK" through the Bering Strait marked the beginning of its Arctic expansion. In July this year, the launch of the "Lianyungang-Arkhangelsk" Arctic route via the "Ice Silk Road" shortened shipping times between China and Russia, boosting trade efficiency and injecting new momentum into the对接 of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Eurasian Economic Union.
To the south, the port deepened its presence in Southeast Asia,加密航线网络 and opened new sea-rail联运通道 like "Lianyungang-Haiphong-Ho Chi Minh," "Dunhuang-Lianyungang-Bangkok," and "Southeast Asia-Lianyungang-Zhengzhou." It also extended支线 services such as "Lianyungang-Quanzhou-Manila," strengthening its diversified maritime network and service capabilities.
**Strengthening the Yangtze Delta "Circle of Friends" for Regional Synergy** The deepening collaboration between Lianyungang Port and SIPG exemplifies its integration into the Yangtze Delta network. Starting with a strategic agreement signed in Nanjing during the 14th Five-Year Plan’s inaugural year, the partnership has evolved through three沪连港航合作交流会, progressing from业务联动 to资本融合.
In 2023, the two ports established Lianyungang Interconnected Container Co., Ltd. and signed a digital corridor memorandum to enhance data sharing and operational integration. By 2024, they expanded多式联运 and rolled out innovative services like the "Xinyi-Lianyungang-Shanghai" rail-water intermodal, while also venturing into automotive logistics via a ro-ro project意向书. In 2025, they launched the "Longhai Line + Lianshen Express单制" product and a green methanol cooperation agreement, advancing toward sustainability.
"Entering Lianyungang is like entering Shanghai Port" is more than a slogan—it’s a commitment to regional logistics efficiency. The高频 "Lianshen Express" operates like a "sea shuttle," allowing货物 to seamlessly connect to SIPG’s global network after consolidation in Lianyungang, significantly reducing logistics cycles and costs. Since its 2022 launch, the service has grown over 20% annually, with a 24.5% year-on-year increase in volume for the first 11 months of 2025.
Meanwhile, the "Lianyungang-Shanghai Yangshan" coastal捎带 service acts as a "ride-share" for international干线 cargo, bolstering Lianyungang’s regional competitiveness while optimizing SIPG’s logistics system.
**Expanding Inland "Circle of Friends" to Open New Longhai Sea Access** For inland partners along the Longhai-Lanxin line, Lianyungang Port offers the most efficient and cost-effective "gateway to the sea." Conversely, the port’s role as the eastern起点 of the New Eurasian Land-Sea联运通道 relies on strong support from its "circle of friends."
In 2023, the Lian-Xu-Huai national freight hub was入选 for补链强链 initiatives. Seizing this opportunity, Lianyungang Port accelerated its "hub-to-hub" logistics network, establishing a徐州供应链公司 and a container调配中心 while获批建设中欧班列集结中心. It also implemented "单制" end-to-end logistics and pioneered "port功能前置," deploying空箱 resources to inland hubs to improve协同效率.
From infrastructure "hard connectivity" to logistics "soft connectivity," Lianyungang’s "gateway" function continues radiating along the Longhai-Lanxin line. Over five years, the port set up a Henan marketing center, co-founded Su-Long Supply Chain Co., and partnered with Hefei International Land Port to strengthen徐州,合肥, and郑州 sea-rail corridors.
Its river-sea联运 network also expanded, with 11 new inland container routes during the 14th Five-Year Plan, linking Huaian, Xuzhou, Zhoukou, and beyond to form a "one port, four lines" network integrating Jiangsu, the Yangtze basin, northern Anhui, southeastern Henan, and southwestern Shandong. In December 2025, the Suqian-Lianyungang waterway opened, with inaugural vessels completing two-way trips, further extending the port’s reach into northern Anhui and southern Shandong.
By continuously expanding international, regional, and inland networks, Lianyungang Port is transforming its "circle of friends" into a "hub network," playing a vital role in domestic and global dual circulation via the New Eurasian Land-Sea联运通道.
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