Hebei to enhance coastal port sector

Coastal Hebei province in North China is aiming to boost the annual throughput capacity of its ports to 1.4 billion metric tons and 8 million standard containers by 2027, according to information from the government.

As of the end of November, the total cargo throughput of Hebei coastal ports had reached 1.27 billion tons this year — ranking fourth among coastal provinces in the country, according to the Hebei provincial maritime safety administration.

In particular, Tangshan Port ranked second globally with a throughput of 759 million tons during the reporting period, said the provincial administration.

The coal throughput of Hebei reached 640 million tons, ranking first nationwide. Iron ore throughput reached 384 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 25.51 percent, far exceeding the national average growth rate. The number of standard container throughput reached 3.98 million, a year-on-year increase of 32.23 percent, it said.

"We have continuously optimized the layout of the ports' functions, improving the integrated transportation system and deepening coordination with the hinterland in Hebei," Ni Yuefeng, Party secretary of Hebei, was quoted as saying by Study Times.

The province has also promoted cost reductions and efficiency improvements in port services, and opened more global routes, Ni said.

Neighboring two megacities of Beijing and Tianjin, Hebei boasts a coastline of 487 kilometers and governs over 7,200 square kilometers of sea area. The province is home to three coastal cities — Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Cangzhou — supporting the development of the maritime transportation sector in the province.

Adjacent to the Bohai Sea, Hebei integrated its port resources and founded Hebei Port Group in 2022 to promote the transformation of ports and optimize the sector.

The province is expanding its port-related industries to further leverage its coastal advantages.

Qinhuangdao Port is vigorously developing container and cruise transportation, accelerating the construction of an internationally renowned tourist port and a modern comprehensive trade port, while Tangshan Port is striving to build an energy and raw materials main hub port, a comprehensive trade hub, a gateway open to Northeast Asia, and a regional container shipping center.

Huanghua Port is pressing ahead with the construction of an international trade port, an important hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, and a convenient seaport for inland Xiong'an New Area in Hebei.