The first rail-water intermodal direct container train from Hunan's Yueyang to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area departed from the freight yard of the Yueyang North Railway Station on April 1, 2023. It could save about one third of transport time compared with the conventional mode that needed three to five days, and thus effectively cut the transportation cost of enterprises. At present, one train would be operated daily.

The container loading and unloading site of the Chenglingji International Container Port. (Photo/Zhou Nan, Xinhua) 

This train was loaded with rubber and other industrial materials from Henan and Shanxi provinces. These goods were shipped to the Chenglingji Port, and transferred to the Yueyang North Railway Station through the Chenglingji New Port special rail line.

The train, consisted of 50 cargo carriages, arrived at the Guangzhou Jiangcun Station in 24 hours, and then transferred to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In order to ensure efficient operation of the trains, the railway authorities have strengthened coordination in freight service organization and dispatching, and optimized related procedures.

Based on the Chenglingji Port Rail-water Intermodal Logistics Park and the Chenglingji New Port special rail line, Hunan in recent years has given priority to developing the road-rail-water intermodal transportation and logistics system to help enterprises reduce transportation cost.