Recently, the first shipment of prebaked anodes at Shandong Port Bohai Bay Port was successfully loaded at Weifang Port Area and set sail for Southeast Asia, marking the opening of a new international trade route for the petroleum coke industry in the port’s hinterland.
Prebaked anodes are carbon-based electrodes primarily used in aluminum electrolysis production and are one of the high-value-added products of petroleum coke. Previously, they were shipped through channels outside the province. To establish a dedicated domestic shipping route for prebaked anodes, Bohai Bay Port has leveraged the “New Era Southbound” breakbulk supply chain service system this year, continuously optimizing key project processes, meticulously building a logistics network for the Southeast Asian market, and closely monitoring domestic and international market trends and policy changes to accurately assess the demand for aluminum electrolysis capacity in Southeast Asia.
Prebaked anodes are characterized by their high value, fragility, and susceptibility to moisture, posing significant challenges for port operations. To ensure delivery quality, relevant parties conducted multiple feasibility studies, field tests, and process optimizations, innovatively developing a transfer solution of “30-ton/vehicle loading + adjustable frame with 2 lifts/vehicle.” This approach ensures cargo integrity while improving operational efficiency. For loading operations, a hybrid method of “ton bags in hidden holds + anode placement in open spaces” was adopted, along with layered anti-tipping techniques. These measures effectively address technical bottlenecks such as the large capacity of ship holds and the difficulty of handling anode blocks, optimizing cabin space allocation and achieving “zero damage.”
“As the advantages of the ‘Weifang–Southeast Asia’ premium breakbulk shipping route become increasingly evident, we actively collaborate with upstream and downstream clients, shipping, logistics, and other stakeholders to successfully open a new channel for prebaked anode exports. This creates a virtuous cycle of petroleum coke raw material imports and product exports, ensuring ‘Shandong goods ship from Shandong’ and driving the port’s cargo structure toward higher-value-added products,” explained Zhang Qionglei, Business Manager at Bohai Bay Port’s Marketing Center.
The successful shipment of prebaked anodes exemplifies Bohai Bay Port’s transformation from traditional bulk cargo operations to end-to-end customized services. It not only establishes a new logistics channel for the petroleum coke industry but also propels China’s high-value-added manufacturing products toward the upper echelons of the global supply chain, contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
