Nantong recently qualified to become a national logistics hub, according to information released in a plan published by the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Transportation on Dec 24, 2018.

The news makes Nantong one of just 127 cities allowed to become logistics hubs for the country.

According to the plan, China aims to build 212 national logistic hubs and form a national logistics hub network suitable for an advanced economy by 2035.

The project includes six kinds of hub –– land ports, seaports, airports, service-oriented ports, commerce and trade-oriented ports, and land border ports. Nantong will serve as a seaport and a commerce and trade-oriented port.

A photo taken on Sept 28, 2018, shows the busy port of Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province. [Photo/IC]

Express packages carried by air, high-speed rail, cold-chain transport, and cross-border companies are encouraged to promote the integrated development of express logistics, and supply and industrial chains.

The plan to spur the development of national logistics hubs also promotes the use of the latest technologies and equipment, in order to develop new business models for the industry. 

Qualified national logistics hubs are encouraged to build fully automatic ports and intelligent warehouses, where unmanned trucks, automatic guided vehicles, smart robots and drones will be used.

International partnerships will be promoted in order to connect important global logistics hubs, energy-producing regions, manufacturing bases and trade centers with China’s national logistics hubs.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta, Nantong has many geographical advantages that favor the development of the city into a logistics hub. 

In recent years, the city has ramped up efforts to improve its transportation system, including its railways, highways and air transportation services. Its two ports, Qidong port and Yangkou port, also play an important role in the country’s international trade.

Hairy crabs are loaded onto a plane at Nantong Xingdong Airport, Nov 11, 2017. Each year, thousands of tons of Jiangsu specialties are transported from the airport to cities all over the country. [Photo/IC]