China has taken a bold step in reshaping the future of logistics with the launch of its first mixed-mode autonomous railway container terminal in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. This innovative development is expected to significantly enhance supply chain efficiency by reducing transit times, lowering costs, and boosting connectivity between inland and coastal trade hubs.
The facility officially commenced operations on June 27 with the departure of a freight train carrying 100 containers bound for the major cargo port of Ningbo-Zhoushan. This marks the beginning of a fully integrated sea-rail intermodal service that links Yiwu’s inland logistics with international shipping routes, enabling smoother and faster cargo movement.
Designed with a handling capacity of 660,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, the terminal features state-of-the-art infrastructure including an automated container yard, digital management systems, and customs supervision zones. Its hybrid operations combine automated and manual systems—leveraging technologies such as unmanned gantry cranes, intelligent transporters, and automated storage—for flexible and high-performance logistics management.
As the country’s first experimental zone for autonomous railway yard operations, this terminal is setting a new standard for future-ready logistics infrastructure. It allows for simplified customs processes and “one-time declaration, inspection, and release” of goods, helping supply chains become more responsive, streamlined, and sustainable.
By bridging inland manufacturing zones with major seaports, the initiative strengthens China’s logistics network and serves as a model for integrating technology into freight movement—boosting both regional trade efficiency and global supply chain competitiveness.
#ICTTMNews #SupplyChainNews #LogisticsInnovation #BreakingNews #SmartLogistics #NewsUpdate
