Chongqing - China-Singapore (Chongqing) Multimodal Transport Demonstration Base recently sent off its first significant export of the year to Mexico, aluminum coils from Southwest Aluminum (Group) Co., Ltd., amid busy workers and electric forklifts bustling.

The consignment, comprising 620 tons of aluminum coils worth 13 million yuan ($1.8 billion) in 31 standard containers, embarked on its journey to the Port of Manzanillo.

The Port of Manzanillo, located in Colima, Mexico, is one of the country's busiest ports, handling cargo for the Pacific Ocean and Mexico City area. The port's strategic location and investments have made it a key player in Mexico's trade, especially in importing consumer goods and exporting to various countries.

The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Multimodal Transport Demonstration Base, operational since 2022, is a key outcome of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI). It focuses on improving warehousing, freight forwarding, and trade, with the goal of establishing a global multimodal transportation network.

Chen Junfeng, a manager from the base, detailed the base's operational status. "Following a production restart on February 18, we've reached full warehouse capacity, over 60% container yard utilization, and a complete return to work," said Chen. The company has prioritized safety and efficiency, conducting thorough checks and customer visits to ensure efficient operations.

Since January, the base has demonstrated impressive efficiency, handling around 2,600 TEUs and circulating goods worth 515.5 million yuan- a 62.5% increase in throughput and a fivefold rise in value compared to last year. Additionally, it processed over 2,500 tons of bulk commodities and more than 700 tons of frozen products, with trade values exceeding 36 million yuan and 5 million US dollars, respectively.

Looking forward, Chen shared ambitious plans for 2024. "We aim to leverage our strategic location and Chongqing's positioning to enhance green logistics initiatives, such as road-to-rail and bulk-to-container services." 

The base is committed to focusing on its core areas of operation to advance Sino-Singapore cooperation in transportation and logistics, aiming to bolster economic and trade relations between Chongqing and Belt and Road countries and to establish Chongqing as a leading inland open highland.