Chongqing - Guoyuan Port, a key shipping hub on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River located in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, has partnered with Sichuan’s Guang’an Port to establish an inland dry port. This move marks a significant extension of the Chongqing–Shanghai express shipping line deeper into China’s interior.

The container terminal at Guoyuan Port is bustling with activity. (Photo/Wang Jiaxi)

Guang’an, the hometown of China's former leader Deng Xiaoping and the closest city in Sichuan to Chongqing’s main urban area, holds a strategic geographic position that will be fully incorporated into a cross-provincial metropolitan area.

Guang’an and its surrounding areas have abundant cargo resources. But more than 98% of goods are currently transported via road and rail. The city has actively promoted waterway development by increasing transport capacity and expanding shipping routes to divert suitable cargo to water transport.

Despite these efforts, waterborne logistics have frequently been hampered by fluctuating water levels in the Jialing River and low transit efficiency at hydroelectric dam sluice gates along the river. This often results in vessels waiting for navigable conditions and causes delays.

The local government plans to establish a dry port to address these challenges. By using rail and other transport modes, dry ports can bridge inland regions with major seaports, offering integrated container handling and multimodal transport capabilities.

A representative from Chongqing Logistics Group said the Guang’an dry port will serve as an extension of Guoyuan Port’s container services into Sichuan. This will create a smooth connection with the Chongqing–Shanghai express shipping line, improving transshipment efficiency for goods moving from Southwest China to Shanghai and international markets.

The Chongqing–Shanghai express shipping line is a major water transport corridor linking Chongqing with China’s primary maritime gateway, Shanghai. In 2025 H1, the line operated 647 voyages, up 21.6% year on year, and transported 29,398 TEUs, a 34.6% increase from the previous year.

According to Liangjiang New Area Media Center, a customs official at Chongqing Port noted that combined with new policies such as “departure confirmation” for import bonded transfers and same-vessel domestic and international cargo shipping, the route’s round-trip time has been reduced by over 40%.

Guoyuan Port has previously established dry ports in Chengdu Longquanyi and in Sichuan Panzhihua, further expanding its distribution capacity and regional reach in Southwest China. These developments support the ongoing integration of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

According to the development plan for the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, Guang’an is designated to be fully integrated into the Chongqing metropolitan area and to serve as a demonstration zone for Sichuan-Chongqing cooperation.