Vitality in the Flow: A Perspective on the Resilient Support of the Yangtze River Delta Port Cluster

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 21 (Reporter Sun Guangjian, Qiao Jihong, Wang Chenyang) At Jiangsu Yangzhou Port, wind power blades measuring dozens of meters long are precisely placed on the deck of cargo ships by gantry cranes; in Zhejiang, from Ningbo Zhoushan Port to Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port, boxes of "Made in China" goods directly connect the harbor via railway, achieving seamless sea-rail intermodal transport; at Shanghai Yangshan Port, ocean-going vessels and automated shoreside cranes weave a picturesque scene in the morning light, containers efficiently circulate under intelligent dispatching, and the dynamic throughput data displayed on smart screens sketches the strong momentum of port development in China...

　　The Yangtze River Delta is considered the "ballast stone" of China's economy and a critical node in the global trade network. It hosts world-class ports such as Shanghai Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port, forming an integrated port cluster with complementary advantages. Recently, reporters have explored the frontlines of Yangtze River Delta ports, experiencing the vitality and resilience driving China's economic development through the rhythmic movements of cranes and the tracks of speeding trains.

　　Integrated Port-Industry Development: Green Energy Equipment Sets Sail

　　Yangzhou Port, located at the golden intersection of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, serves as a hub for inland shipping and a gateway for integrated river-ocean transport. Its rise is a vivid representation of the integrated development of ports and industries in the Yangtze River Delta. Leveraging nearby renewable energy industrial clusters, Yangzhou Port has become a leading domestic export base for wind power equipment, an essential channel for China's green energy to venture abroad.

　　"Take a look at these wind power blades about to be loaded on a ship; each blade is dozens of meters long. Our specialized hoisting equipment ensures precise positioning, guaranteeing absolute safety," said Zhu Ronglin, General Manager of the Market Department of Yangzhou Port Group. By 2025, the total export volume of wind power equipment from Yangzhou Port will exceed 4 million cubic meters, with products shipped to multiple countries and regions.

　　Behind this achievement lies the synergy of "ports empowering industries, industries feeding back to ports." Around Yangzhou Port, reporters witnessed the clustering of renewable energy leaders such as Taiyuan Wind Energy and Envision Energy. From key components like wind power blades and nacelle covers to complete machine R&D, manufacturing, and testing, a full industrial chain ecosystem has formed. "Previously, exports required transshipments at multiple ports. Now, seamless ‘one-stop’ loading is possible right at our doorstep, not only lowering logistics costs but also shortening delivery cycles," said a representative from Taiyuan Wind Energy's tower section finished product yard.

　　Zhu Ronglin said the port's upgrades not only serve local industries but also address the "last mile" for exporting renewable energy equipment from the Yangtze River Delta.

　　Smart Intermodal Transport: Seamless Sea-Rail Connectivity

　　If Yangzhou Port serves as the "gateway of Northern Jiangsu," then Ningbo Zhoushan Port functions as the "global hub" along the East China Sea. Amid the rise and fall of massive cranes, containers are steadily lifted from large cargo ships and securely placed on waiting trucks. The entire port area operates like a meticulously tuned machine that functions 24 hours a day, perfectly embodying the concept of efficiency.

　　"The number of quay cranes I manage has increased from over 40 to 53, and the dispatch rhythm has more than doubled," said Pan Jintao, Duty Manager of the Operations Department at Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal Co., Ltd., pointing to the densely mapped container trajectories displayed on the control room screens while recounting the port's upgrade journey to reporters.

　　By 2025, Ningbo Zhoushan Port is expected to handle over 1.4 billion tons of cargo and more than 43 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), solidifying its role as a vital gateway for China’s foreign trade with the world.

　　Traveling westward from Zhejiang’s Chuanshan port area along the Jinyong Railway, the profile of Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port comes into view. It serves as the "key node" connecting Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Yiwu’s small commodities market. Eighteen remotely controlled automated gantry cranes stand neatly aligned while containers on the tracks move precisely under intelligent control. Compared to traditional methods, overall operation efficiency has improved by more than 30%.

　　"In this trip dispatch system connected to Ningbo Zhoushan Port, we achieve 'simultaneous unloading and loading,' maximizing transportation efficiency. Unloading time has been reduced from over five hours during the port's early operations to around two hours now," explained Zhao Jianmin, General Manager of Zhejiang Seaport Yiwu Hub Port Co., Ltd., while showcasing the intelligent dispatch system to reporters.

　　On one side is Yiwu’s "worldwide merchandises," while the other connects globally via Ningbo Zhoushan Port. Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port bridges land and maritime economies using smart intermodal transport, enabling "Made in China" products to reach global markets at lower costs and higher efficiency.

　　Hub Upgrades: Deep-Water Port Bears Momentum

　　Heading north from Yiwu, reporters arrived at Shanghai Yangshan Deep-Water Port. As the world's largest intelligent container terminal, this deep-water port built on islands is continuously innovating and upgrading, demonstrating China's robust port capabilities. In the first quarter of this year, Yangshan Deep-Water Port handled 7.45 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%.

　　"The growth in Yangshan Deep-Water Port’s throughput is no coincidence but an inevitable result of long-term efforts to enhance hub capability and deepen automation innovations," said Fan Jun, Manager of the Container Management Office of the Production Division at Shanghai Port Group, during an interview. Leveraging the Yangtze River Delta's integrated development strategy, multiple new international trade routes covering over 700 ports in 200 countries and regions were added, continually consolidating Shanghai Port's status as a global container hub port.

　　At the fourth-phase automated terminal of Yangshan Deep-Water Port, reporters witnessed seamless coordination between AI dispatching systems, quay cranes, and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). Driverless container trucks traveled back and forth, and a fully unmanned operational model is gradually taking shape. "Compared to the initial stages of operation, our efficiency has improved by 80%. Next, we plan to focus on upgrading the AI dispatching system to achieve more precise capacity allocation and higher operational efficiency," introduced Fan Jun.

　　Currently, the global trade landscape is undergoing significant adjustments, and geopolitical conflicts are influencing the layout of ocean routes. However, data from Yangtze River Delta ports highlights the increasing resilience of China's foreign trade—routes to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia are growing rapidly, effectively compensating for fluctuations in localized routes and becoming new growth engines for foreign trade. "Data from the first quarter clearly shows that the foundation of China's foreign trade remains intact, with Yangtze River Delta ports as 'gateway hubs' continually injecting momentum into the high-quality development of foreign trade," stated Fan Jun.

　　Data from the General Administration of Customs indicated that in the first quarter, China's total import and export value of goods trade reached 11.84 trillion yuan, an increase of 15% year-on-year, marking the first time quarterly volume exceeded 11 trillion yuan.

　　Behind these figures are the continuous efforts and nightly dedication of Yangtze River Delta port clusters.

　　As the "economic barometer," ports not only support the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta but also act as critical bridges connecting China with the world and integrating into the global economy. Between throughput operations lies the enhanced operational strength of ports, reflecting the resilience and vitality of foreign trade and witnessing the steadfast strides of China's high-quality economic development.