The winning works of Zhenhua Global Port Photography Competition © Author: Zhu Jingying

Recently, the "Several Measures to Promote the High-Quality Development of Xiamen Port and Shipping Trade Integration" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures") was released. The "Measures" introduce 12 measures in four aspects: promoting the coordinated development of port and shipping trade, building important nodes and important channels, accelerating the development of multimodal transport, and working together to improve the port business environment, further optimizing the allocation of ports, shipping and trade factors and resources, effectively reducing port and shipping logistics costs, solidly promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, and helping to create a node city with a new development pattern.

The Measures were officially implemented on June 5, 2025 and are valid until December 31, 2027.

Several Measures to Promote the High-Quality Development of Xiamen Port and Shipping Trade Integration

In order to further optimize the allocation of ports, shipping and trade factors and resources, effectively reduce port and shipping logistics costs, steadily promote high-level opening up to the outside world, and help create a node city for a new development pattern, the following measures are proposed in accordance with relevant national and provincial regulations and in combination with the actual situation of Xiamen.

1. Promote the coordinated development of port and shipping trade

(1) Promote the aggregation of port and shipping trade factors. Comprehensively support ports, shipping and trading enterprises to expand their business segments in Xiamen, integrate ports, shipping, trade, logistics, and warehousing, and promote the integrated development of ports, shipping and trade. Support the linkage of "Hong Kong trade" and promote the close connection between the supply chain industry and the port industry. Support the integration of "port and shipping", optimize support policies for water transportation development, and promote the addition of new ship capacity. Support the creation of industrial parks for shipping service factors gathering, and attract more shipping legal, insurance, funds, exploration and other key factors to serve enterprises.

(2) Support the development of container business. Support the development of port enterprises, strengthen strategic cooperation between ports and airlines, improve service efficiency and level, encourage container terminal enterprises to accelerate the development of container business, and reward them according to regulations based on container volume and service efficiency. Support the development of shipping companies, encourage liner companies to use Xiamen Port as a regional route business allocation and container transit base. For the addition of new European and American express lines, each route will be rewarded with a reward of 4 million yuan; for the addition of Southeast Asian cross-border e-commerce routes, each ship will be rewarded with a reward of 15,000 yuan, and a single enterprise will be rewarded with a maximum annual reward of 3 million yuan; actively develop international business, domestic trade business, and internal branch line business, and reward them based on the increase in container volume, transit increase and other indicators. Increase support for land ports and give rewards of 10 yuan/TECH and 100 yuan/TECH; enterprises inside and outside the province that operate container heavy container business in Xiamen Port will be given a one-time reward of up to 1 million yuan per enterprise.

2. Build important nodes and important channels

(3) Plan and promote the construction of the Southeast Land-Sea Channel. Create an important eastern node and important channel connecting the "Silk Road" in the north, the "Maritime Silk Road" in the south, and the "Strait" in the east, so as to better serve the development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Strengthen logistics and transportation capabilities such as "Silk Road Sea Transportation", China-Europe Express (Xiamen), and promote the upgrading and expansion of freight hub facilities in Taiwan. Continue to expand the construction of Tainan channels, explore special transportation rules for dangerous goods from Xiamen and Jinzhou, increase support for Taiwan's express express routes, encourage the opening of sea express routes from Xiamen to Taiwan and Xiamen to Kinmen and operate them regularly, and give a maximum of 15,000 yuan per flight reward to Xiamen and Taiwan's express route operators in accordance with regulations to create a cross-border e-commerce distribution center for Taiwan. In combination with the construction of cross-strait integration demonstration zones, support the sea-air intermodal transport business.

3. Accelerate the development of multimodal transport

(IV) Strengthen railway transportation capacity. Strengthen cooperation with the railway department to make up for the shortcomings of Xiamen Port in railway transportation. Start the construction of Xiamen Port Multimodal Transport Smart Logistics Center, and promote the expansion and transformation of Haicang branch line (Xinlian closure, electrification and expansion and transformation of Haicang station) and the "leveling and upright" crossings with conditions of the Haicang branch line. We strive to complete and put into use for the special railway line of Yuanhai Pier in 2025. Research and reserve railway line locations in Xiang'an Port Area, include them in the national land space planning, and start the project in a timely manner according to the sea-rail intermodal transport volume requirements of Xiang'an Port Area.

(5) Strengthen the expansion of the hinterland. Strengthen logistics connection with inland cities, strive to open trains, further increase comprehensive support for the development of sea-rail intermodal transport business, especially medium- and long-term long-distance sea-rail intermodal transport business, and enhance the competitiveness of logistics companies. Deepen the pilot program of "one order" for sea-rail intermodal transport and improve intermodal transport efficiency. Increase policy support for water and water transport, carry out international and domestic transit at Xiamen Port, and strengthen support for the construction of branch platforms.

4. Work together to improve the port business environment

(VI) Implement special actions to facilitate cross-border trade. Deepen the coordination of multimodal transport inbound and outbound transportation in coastal inland border areas, support the construction and development of cross-border train assembly centers, and deepen the joint construction of the "Belt and Road". Create a smooth, fast and safe "cross-border one lock" direct transportation channel for Fujian, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, further promote interconnection and promote smooth logistics. Expand the scope of application of the "check first and shipment" model of export LCL cargo to promote the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce; optimize international cruise ship supply services, further optimize port logistics services, and jointly promote the reduction of the comprehensive costs of the entire cross-border logistics process, and promote cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

(7) Expand the business of comprehensive bonded zones. Make good use of the comprehensive bonded zone policy, improve the bonded logistics distribution function, rely on the advantages of port routes and integrated districts and ports, and expand the logistics distribution and distribution services of key goods such as rental goods, mechanical and electrical products, energy storage equipment, etc. in the comprehensive bonded zone.

(8) Improve the service capabilities of the "new three" ports. For the "new three" products such as new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and energy storage cabinets, we will promote the terminal to improve its operating qualifications and supporting facilities. Innovate the inspection and supervision model of export lithium batteries. Based on the country's first shipping safety guide for container lithium battery energy storage systems, we will work with relevant parties to jointly promote the formulation of a Xiamen template for the sea transportation contract for lithium battery to provide comprehensive protection for cargo owners, carriers, insurance parties, safety measures and emergency responses.

(9) Accelerate the construction of smart ports. Deepen the construction of the "single window" of international trade, promote the coordinated digital improvement and application of cross-border e-commerce export logistics; use Beidou, high-precision maps, and blockchain technologies to promote the in-depth application of the logistics supply chain of Xiamen Port's smart logistics platform; use 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, and large models to promote the re-upgrade of the construction of intelligent smart ports; strengthen the sharing of ports, shipping, trade, customs, railways, and transportation information.

(10) Promote the port’s “fee reduction and efficiency increase”. Enhance the agglomeration effect and scale advantages of Xiamen Port, and drive the whole society to reduce logistics costs. Optimize port services such as loading and unloading, pilotage, and further support new energy vehicles entering and exiting Xiamen Port, and encourage Xiamen Port terminal enterprises to provide new energy vehicles with 10-20-day free stacking period to strengthen the functions of automobile ports.

(11) Strengthen policy coordination. Strengthen the coordination of financial support funds at the municipal and district levels and increase support. Improve professional warehousing and supporting construction such as chemical logistics parks to meet the development needs of Xiamen's industry in port transportation, loading and unloading, logistics supporting facilities, etc.

(12) Establish and improve a guarantee mechanism for the high-quality development of port and shipping trade integration. Strengthen problem investigation and coordination, conduct regular consultations and research, and follow up on the implementation of agreed matters. Strengthen departmental coordination and cooperation, strengthen policy research, form a joint force, and jointly promote the high-quality development of port and shipping trade.