New rail-water intermodal route links Yunnan, Sichuan and Hubei for phosphate ore transportation

A dedicated rail-water intermodal freight service for phosphate ore has made its maiden voyage, officially opening a new multi-modal logistics corridor covering Pudu Ferry in Yunnan, Yibin Port in Sichuan and Zhicheng Port in Hubei. The launch expands efficient land-and-water transportation options for bulk mineral resources in western Sichuan and southwestern China.

Operated relying on the efficient rail collection and distribution plus river transshipment model of Yibin Port under Sichuan Provincial Port Investment Group, the new logistics route streamlines the entire transportation chain. Phosphate resources from Leibo areas are transported via railway from Pudu Ferry Station in Yancheng of Yunnan to Yibin Port, where standardised container loading and transshipment procedures are completed. Cargoes are then delivered downstream along the Yangtze Golden Waterway to Zhicheng Port in Hubei, achieving seamless connection and highly efficient full-link operation.

The opening of the new route further consolidates Yibin Port’s pivotal function as a regional distribution and trading hub for phosphate ore in southwest China. It integrates railway freight capacity along regional lines and waterway advantages of the mainstream Yangtze River, optimising the traditional single-mode transportation structure for bulk phosphate cargoes.

The upgraded intermodal model cuts redundant transshipment procedures effectively, lowering cargo loss and comprehensive logistics costs. It enables large-scale, standardised and intensive transportation of phosphate ore, building a stable and efficient logistics channel for high-quality phosphate resources from western Sichuan to access markets in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

As a key comprehensive hub port in the upper Yangtze River and a core node for regional multi-modal transportation, Yibin Port continues to upgrade its rail-water intermodal collection and distribution system. The port has been advancing targeted logistics channel development for key cargo categories including phosphate ore, building materials and energy commodities, progressing steadily toward becoming a major bulk commodity distribution and trading centre in southwest China.

The new corridor marks a key step in deepening port coordination between Sichuan and Hubei and promoting cross-regional logistics linkage. It enriches the port’s portfolio of intermodal transportation services and strengthens the bulk cargo transshipment and distribution capacity of the upper Yangtze River region.

Yibin Port will carry out continuous optimisation of rail-water intermodal operation procedures and upgrade professional loading and transshipment service standards to sustain regular and stable operation of the phosphate ore logistics channel. It will maintain unobstructed material circulation between inland southwest China and the Yangtze River midstream and downstream regions.

Deeper collaboration will be advanced in cross-regional rail-port and port-port cooperation to expand new routes and cargo sources for multi-modal transportation. The superimposed advantages of the Yangtze Golden Waterway and trunk railway lines will be fully leveraged to drive coordinated development of upstream and downstream industrial chains in the regional mineral sector, delivering robust logistics momentum for coordinated economic development across Sichuan, Yunnan and Hubei regions.