Chongqing- According to a press briefing recently, from January to May 2025, cargo passing through Chongqing via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) reached 122,000 TEUs, valued at 22.6 billion yuan ($3.15 billion), representing a 24% and 15% increase, respectively, reflects the growing importance of the region's role in global logistics.

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (Chongqing-Vientiane) cross-border rail and road services were launched in Chongqing on December 24, 2024. (Photo/New Land-sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd.)

"Since last year, Chongqing has advanced the construction of modernized logistics systems. The expansion of ILSTC is central to these efforts, enabling Chongqing to become a critical hub for both domestic and international trade," said Li Yan, deputy director of the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government.

The corridor's development has seen the successful operation of key routes such as Chongqing to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, and Indonesia's Jakarta, with an additional new route linking Chongqing and Thailand's Laem Chabang. This network now reaches 570 ports in 127 countries and regions globally.

Among the corridor's recent notable achievements is the bi-directional operation of the China-Europe Railway Express-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor ASEAN Express. With this service, the time it takes for goods to travel from Duisburg, Germany, to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam via Chongqing has been reduced to 19 days, cutting shipping time by more than 50% compared to traditional sea freight.

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (Chongqing-Vientiane) cross-border rail and road services were launched in Chongqing on December 24, 2024. (Photo/New Land-sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd.)

Li noted: "For businesses, logistics efficiency has been significantly improved. For example, the typical shipping time to Singapore used to be 20 days; now it's around 10 days. For consumers, this improvement means a wider selection of fresh imports like coconuts, durians, and bananas from ASEAN countries."

The China-Europe Railway Express remains a key component of Chongqing's logistical network. In the first five months of 2025, the China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) saw 2,522 train services, maintaining one of the highest service volumes in China. New routes to Central Asia and Afghanistan were added, bringing the total number of rail routes to 52, covering 117 European and Asian cities.

Chongqing's air cargo services have also expanded significantly. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport now operates 33 international passenger and 14 international cargo routes, forming a robust international air network spanning Europe, America, Australia, and Asia. In the first five months of 2025, international passenger throughput increased by 38.7%, reaching 871,000 people.

Noteworthy developments also include breakthroughs in river-sea transport. The city launched a direct river-sea route between Chongqing and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, allowing cargo to bypass Shanghai and reach international markets more quickly. For example, chemicals from Huafon in Chongqing are now exported directly from Fuling Port to Ningbo, reducing transport time by 5 days and cutting cargo damage rates from 0.3% to 0.1%.

In line with these advancements, Chongqing has also seen the successful integration of industry with the logistics corridor. Through the construction of the Chongqing Hub Port Industrial Park, the corridor has fostered the growth of 218 signed projects worth 181.3 billion yuan, with 143 new enterprises registered in the pilot zone.

To further streamline operations, Chongqing has implemented customized logistics solutions for various industries. One example is the operation of a rail-sea intermodal vehicle transport service from Chongqing via Qinzhou to Dubai, UAE. This service uses a combined rail and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) sea transport model, enhancing efficiency by 10-15% and lowering costs by 8%.

Looking ahead, Chongqing is focusing on the digitalization of ILSTC. The city has launched a "One-Code Pass" service, allowing businesses to complete cross-border logistics online, reducing documentation requirements by 50% and improving operational efficiency by 20%.

"Chongqing aims to build a comprehensive international logistics service system that integrates trade, logistics, and finance, further enhancing Chongqing's role in international trade and logistics," said Li.