On August 19, the vessel “Hengyi Tianlun” fully loaded with 6,100 tons of iron ore from the Weifang Port Area of Shandong Ports Bohai Bay Port successfully berthed at the Shouguang Port Area, marking the official opening of the new iron ore transshipment channel between “Weifang-Shouguang”. This is another innovative practice by Bohai Bay Port, in collaboration with the Investment Holding Group and Shandong Ocean Shipping, to strengthen iron ore supply chain services and tap into internal potential. It opens up a new economic, stable, and efficient channel for ensuring the supply of raw materials to downstream enterprises in the regional hinterland.
Facing a complex and changing market environment and customer demands, Bohai Bay Port actively explores internal potential and precisely connects the needs of upstream and downstream enterprises. Through in-depth research and meticulous planning, it has successfully redirected iron ore shipments originally transported by road to the more cost-effective and logistically efficient “Weifang-Shouguang” water channel. The two port areas are organically connected, forming an integrated network characterized by “trunk-feeder connectivity and high-efficiency linkage,” successfully promoting the adjustment of the iron ore transportation structure from “road-to-water.”
“We focus on taking proactive measures based on the internal synergy advantages brought by the integrated reform of Shandong Ports. By cooperating with Shandong Ocean Shipping, we provide suitable shipping capacity to ensure smooth vessel deployment; by introducing the cargo insurance services of the Investment Holding Group, we offer comprehensive risk protection for cargo owners. This ‘port + logistics + finance’ model effectively integrates the high-quality resources within Shandong Ports, forming a powerful service synergy,” said Li Haotian, Business Manager of the Dry Bulk Center at the Marketing Center of Bohai Bay Port.
Moreover, the opening of the new channel brings tangible financial benefits to downstream production enterprises. Compared to the original transportation method, the iron ore transshipment effectively reduces the comprehensive logistics costs for enterprises by about 10%. At the same time, it extends the coverage of Bohai Bay Port’s iron ore supply chain services, improves terminal utilization efficiency and throughput, creates conditions for the port to secure “key cargo types,” and achieves a “win-win” situation for both the port and enterprises. Under the condition of multiple coexisting transportation modes, adding a stable water supply channel effectively enhances the resilience and security of the regional industrial and supply chains, providing downstream production enterprises with richer and more flexible logistics options to ensure continuous and stable production.
To ensure the successful completion of the operation, the two port areas planned in advance and implemented precise measures. Before the vessel’s arrival, based on the characteristics of iron ore loading and unloading, the port area conducted comprehensive maintenance and debugging of related equipment at Berth 8, with a focus on inspecting the operational status of key handling equipment such as portal cranes and forklifts to ensure stable equipment performance. During the operation, by scientifically deploying key production factors such as personnel and machinery, a full-process control system of “vessel berthing – portal crane grabbing – front offloading – direct loading onto trucks” was established. The iron ore handling efficiency at Shouguang Port Area increased by 56% year-on-year.
Bohai Bay Port will continue to deepen the construction of a characteristic comprehensive supply chain service system, centering on customer needs, densifying the internal synergy network, continuously innovating service models, expanding “road-to-water” businesses for more cargo types and customized logistics solutions, integrating various service elements, and building a comprehensive logistics hub and core supply chain node that drives regional economic development, contributing greater strength to serving the high-quality development of the local economy.
Full Media Reporter Ma Rongwei, Correspondent Ren Kexin
