The quay crane of Qinzhou Automated Terminal in Beibu Gulf Port slowly lifted, and a container with the Western Land Sea New Channel logo landed steadily on the waiting train. As of September 10, 2026, the cumulative shipping volume of containers on this southbound sea corridor has officially exceeded 6 million TEUs. From the first train departing from Chongqing Tuanjie Village Station in 2017 to the milestone of 6 million TEUs now, the Western Land Sea New Corridor has brought the logistics distance between the western inland and ASEAN ports closer and closer in less than ten years.

In the first half of 2026, the total import and export value of 12 provinces, regions, and municipalities in western China to ASEAN increased by 13.7% year-on-year. The continuous upgrading of channels is the core logistics support behind this foreign trade growth data.

The monthly average transportation volume remains stable at over 100000 TEUs

In the first eight months of 2026, the Western Land Sea New Channel trains transported a total of 857000 TEUs of goods, with a monthly average volume of over 100000 TEUs. The supply and demand of two-way cargo flow were prosperous and balanced. From the initial trial run of a single route to now covering 571 ports in 13+2 jointly built provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, radiating to 127 countries and regions around the world, the channel has completely broken away from the early one-way transit state and formed a normalized and large-scale two-way transportation pattern. The overall transportation efficiency has been reduced by nearly 30% compared to 2019 when the channel was upgraded to a national strategy.

Continuous optimization of import and export commodity structure

The current channel mainly imports Southeast Asian specialty agricultural products, industrial raw materials, and cross-border e-commerce goods, while the export side focuses on transporting high value-added western intelligent manufacturing products such as mechanical and electrical products, light industrial products, and fine chemical products. Automobile spare parts, new energy components, and smart home appliances from the western inland can quickly go abroad through this channel. Southeast Asian specialty goods such as durian, rubber, and palm oil can be delivered to the Sichuan Chongqing region within 5 days. The channel is no longer just a simple logistics trunk line, but has become a core economic and trade link for the western advantageous industries to connect with ASEAN and radiate globally. Keywords: Western Land Sea New Channel

The milestone of 6 million TEUs is not the end point, but a brand new starting point. This strategic channel connecting the western inland and southern seaports will continue to release logistics efficiency in the future, opening up a smoother southbound artery for the domestic and international dual circulation pattern.Editor/Cheng Liting