Beihai, July 23 (Xinhua) — On July 23, the vessel “Ruining 9,” loaded with 53,030 tons of industrial raw materials for foreign trade, successfully berthed at No. 1 berth of the Langan Operation Area in the East Port Area of Beihai Tieshangang, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port. This marks the first time an international vessel has called at the berth since its commissioning, signifying the official commencement of foreign trade vessel operations at Berths 1–2 of the Langan Operation Area and Berths S1–3 in the East Port Area of Beihai Port.
The “Ruining 9” measures 190 meters in length and 32.26 meters in width, with a deadweight tonnage of 53,457.4 tons. On this voyage from the Philippines to Beihai Tieshangang in Guangxi, China, it carried 53,030 tons of raw materials for port-side industrial enterprises.
The photo shows the “Ruining 9” successfully berthed at No. 1 berth of the Langan Operation Area in the East Port Area of Beihai Tieshangang, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port. Photo provided by Beigang Media Center.
It is reported that the Langan Operation Area in the East Port Area of Beihai Port consists of five berths, including two 100,000-ton-class and three 5,000-ton-class berths, with an annual designed throughput capacity of 7.45 million tons. The operation area commenced operations on December 28, 2023, directly serving enterprises in the Beihai Tieshan East Port Industrial Zone, Yulin Longtan Port-side Industrial Park, and surrounding hinterland areas such as western Guangdong. It effectively bridges the “last mile” of cross-border logistics, extending the “port exit” to the “doorstep” of enterprises and establishing an efficient and convenient logistics channel.
The berthing of the “Ruining 9” heralds the regular entry and exit of international vessels in the East Port Area of Tieshangang. The port area will synergize with the West Port Area of Tieshangang and the Shibuling Port Area to transform more inland hinterlands into open frontiers, constructing broader open channels and gateways. This will effectively reduce the comprehensive logistics costs of foreign trade goods, enhance regional economic and trade cooperation, and sustain the smooth flow of supply and industrial chains.
Since the beginning of this year, Beihai Port Area of Beibu Gulf Port has continued to expand its foreign trade business, including new imports of cassava chips from Cambodia and the first shipment of sodium sulfate to Thailand. Port-side enterprises like Nine Dragons Paper have also received their first shipment of wood chips from Thailand, while foreign trade cargoes such as potash fertilizer, iron ore, and soybeans have shown steady growth. From January to June, Beihai Port Area handled 8.544 million tons of foreign trade cargo, exceeding 8.5 million tons for the third consecutive year during the same period, solidifying its role as a key node in Beibu Gulf Port’s openness and connectivity.
Meanwhile, leveraging Beibu Gulf Port’s open platform and developmental advantages, Beihai Port Area has continuously improved the “hard connectivity” of port infrastructure and the “soft connectivity” of port construction. Since 2017, it has promoted the construction of 13 berths, including Berths 7 and 8 in the Beimu Operation Area of Tieshangang West Port Area, adding over 30 million tons of cargo throughput capacity. Regular berthing operations for 100,000-ton-class bulk carriers have been achieved, and container vessel handling capacity has risen to the 60,000-ton-class. The port’s throughput capacity, loading efficiency, and service levels have all significantly improved, joining the ranks of ports with annual container throughput exceeding one million TEUs. Beihai Port Area now has 15 open berths, contributing to Tieshangang’s approval as Guangxi’s first National Import Trade Promotion and Innovation Demonstration Zone. (End)
