The Macheng-Xiamen rail-sea intermodal train departs from Macheng. [Photo/Xiamen Port]
The Macheng-Xiamen rail-sea intermodal train carrying 60 TEUs of granite departed from Macheng, county-level city of Huanggang, Hubei province, on May 21. The special train arrived at Xiamen Port on May 24, where the containers were seamlessly transferred to an international vessel bound for Incheon Port in South Korea, achieving an over 40-percent improvement in transport efficiency.
With an estimated annual volume of 2,000 TEUs expected this year, the Macheng-Xiamen rail-sea service will further strengthen Xiamen Port's position as a global hub for the international stone trade.
The launch of this rail-sea intermodal service enables local enterprises in Macheng to achieve "single-time container loading and unified billing documentation", reaching the seaport within two days. The seamless connection with ocean shipping services ensures rapid delivery to overseas customers, while reducing logistics costs by approximately 25 percent compared to road transportation.
Among Macheng's over 200 large-scale stone enterprises, 90 percent are funded by Fujian entrepreneurs. These pioneering Fujian businesspeople have established their trade headquarters in Xiamen.
The rail-sea intermodal corridor will extend its reach to Huanggang, neighboring Suizhou, and other places in eastern Hubei, serving as a strategic pivot for Xiamen Port to expand its inland reach.