The Power of Logistics to Move the World!
It's the Power of extrans.
EXTRANS GLOBAL - Weekly Logistics Operation Update - Week 04-2026
📌 Weekly Logistics Highlights
This week, the logistics sector focused on peak season preparations ahead of the Chinese New Year, with major hubs optimizing efficiency through automation and digitalization. China’s ports accelerated green energy adoption and e-commerce delivery, while Southeast Asian ports tightened customs regulations to combat trade irregularities. South Korea and the US navigated shifting cargo volumes and cruise tourism demands, ensuring supply chains remain robust during this critical transition period.
China
Hong Kong, China
🔹 JD Logistics Launches "Same-Day" Bird's Nest Delivery to Mainland (Jan 22): JD Logistics announced a groundbreaking bonded logistics model in partnership with a leading Hong Kong tonic brand, enabling the direct shipment of ready-to-eat bird's nest from mainland bonded warehouses for the first time. By stocking inventory in advance and completing customs clearance procedures beforehand, the system synchronizes orders instantly. This innovation has slashed delivery times to Beijing from 6 days to 3 days, while cities like Chongqing now enjoy same-day delivery. This not only doubles logistics efficiency but also significantly enhances the freshness and availability of high-value Hong Kong products for mainland consumers during the pre-holiday shopping spree.
🔹 Hong Kong Air Cargo Sees 15% Surge in Pharma Shipments (Jan 19): Hong Kong International Airport reported a significant 15% week-on-week increase in pharmaceutical cargo volumes, driven by the export of traditional Chinese medicine and medical devices to Southeast Asia. To handle this surge, the airport activated its dedicated Pharma Perishable Terminal, utilizing AI-driven temperature control systems to maintain a strict 2-8°C range. The Civil Aviation Department also streamlined airway bills processing for medical goods, reducing documentation time by 40%. This rapid response ensures the timely delivery of essential medical supplies to regional markets ahead of the holiday season.
🔹 Hong Kong Air Cargo Sees 15% Surge in Pharma Shipments (Jan 19): Hong Kong International Airport reported a significant 15% week-on-week increase in pharmaceutical cargo volumes, driven by the export of traditional Chinese medicine and medical devices to Southeast Asia. To handle this surge, the airport activated its dedicated Pharma Perishable Terminal, utilizing AI-driven temperature control systems to maintain a strict 2-8°C range. The Civil Aviation Department also streamlined airway bills processing for medical goods, reducing documentation time by 40%. This rapid response ensures the timely delivery of essential medical supplies to regional markets ahead of the holiday season.
Shenzhen, China
🔹 Unmanned Vehicle Fleet Deployed for New Year's Goods Rush (Jan 21): Leading logistics firms in Shenzhen, including JD Logistics and ZTO Express, massively deployed autonomous delivery vehicles to tackle the "New Year's Goods" peak. These vehicles, capable of carrying up to 1,000 parcels per trip, are primarily handling short-haul transfers between sorting centers and community stations. Operating at 30-minute intervals during morning peaks, they have successfully cleared backlogs at outlets, reducing daily delivery times by approximately 3 hours. This automation not only cuts operational costs by 50% but also effectively addresses the shortage of human couriers during the festive season.
🔹 Shenzhen Port Implements "Green Channel" for EV Exports (Jan 18): Shenzhen Yantian Port launched a specialized "Green Channel" to facilitate the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs) to Europe. The port introduced automated guided vehicles (AGVs) specifically designed for car carriers, optimizing the loading process. By integrating customs clearance data with the port’s terminal operating system, the entire export cycle—from arrival to berthing—is shortened by 20%. This week alone, the port processed over 2,500 NEVs, significantly boosting China’s automotive export capacity and ensuring these high-value goods reach European dealerships before the holiday shutdown.
🔹 Shenzhen Port Implements "Green Channel" for EV Exports (Jan 18): Shenzhen Yantian Port launched a specialized "Green Channel" to facilitate the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs) to Europe. The port introduced automated guided vehicles (AGVs) specifically designed for car carriers, optimizing the loading process. By integrating customs clearance data with the port’s terminal operating system, the entire export cycle—from arrival to berthing—is shortened by 20%. This week alone, the port processed over 2,500 NEVs, significantly boosting China’s automotive export capacity and ensuring these high-value goods reach European dealerships before the holiday shutdown.
Guangzhou, China
🔹 Nansha Port Ships 108 NEVs to Middle East (Jan 19): Guangzhou Nansha Port successfully loaded and dispatched a batch of 108 new energy vehicles, valued at over 10 million yuan, to the Middle East. As part of the pre-Spring Festival export push, the port optimized its roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal operations, employing special anti-slip lashing devices to ensure vehicle safety during the voyage. Additionally, a dedicated customs clearance lane was opened for NEVs, integrating inspection and declaration procedures. This initiative shortened the vessel turnaround time by 15% compared to standard cargo, solidifying Nansha Port's position as a key hub for China's auto exports to the Gulf region.
🔹 Guangzhou Railway Launches "Fruit Express" to Central Asia (Jan 20): To capitalize on the demand for fresh produce during the holiday season, Guangzhou Railway launched a dedicated "Fruit Express" freight train service to Central Asia. The service utilizes refrigerated containers with IoT temperature monitoring to transport durians, mangosteens, and other tropical fruits from Thailand (via China-Laos Railway) to markets in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The trains run on a fixed weekly schedule, ensuring a transit time of just 8 days. This direct rail link cuts logistics costs by 30% compared to air freight while maintaining the freshness of the produce, creating a vital trade corridor for Southeast Asian agriculture.
🔹 Guangzhou Railway Launches "Fruit Express" to Central Asia (Jan 20): To capitalize on the demand for fresh produce during the holiday season, Guangzhou Railway launched a dedicated "Fruit Express" freight train service to Central Asia. The service utilizes refrigerated containers with IoT temperature monitoring to transport durians, mangosteens, and other tropical fruits from Thailand (via China-Laos Railway) to markets in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The trains run on a fixed weekly schedule, ensuring a transit time of just 8 days. This direct rail link cuts logistics costs by 30% compared to air freight while maintaining the freshness of the produce, creating a vital trade corridor for Southeast Asian agriculture.
Shanghai, China
🔹 COSCO & OOCL Cut Rates to Secure Cargo on SE Asia Routes (Jan 20): Facing a decline in freight rates on Southeast Asia routes, major carriers like COSCO and OOCL operating from Shanghai Port implemented aggressive pricing strategies to secure cargo volume. With domestic factories rushing to finish orders before the holiday, shipping lines offered significant rebates for prompt bookings, particularly on the Vietnam and Indonesia routes. Despite the rate war, carriers maintained a 98% on-time performance by optimizing vessel speed. Industry analysts suggest this is a tactical move to maintain market share, with expectations of a cargo surge and subsequent rate recovery in the final week of January.
🔹 Yangshan Port Trials Automated Truck Platooning (Jan 23): Yangshan Deep Water Port initiated a trial of autonomous truck platooning technology within its restricted terminal area. A lead truck, operated by a human driver, guides a convoy of three driverless trucks equipped with LiDAR and 5G connectivity to transport containers between the quay and the stacking yard. The system has demonstrated a 20% increase in transport efficiency and a 15% reduction in fuel consumption due to aerodynamic benefits. If successful, this technology will be rolled out across the port to address the chronic shortage of truck drivers during the Chinese New Year holiday.
🔹 Yangshan Port Trials Automated Truck Platooning (Jan 23): Yangshan Deep Water Port initiated a trial of autonomous truck platooning technology within its restricted terminal area. A lead truck, operated by a human driver, guides a convoy of three driverless trucks equipped with LiDAR and 5G connectivity to transport containers between the quay and the stacking yard. The system has demonstrated a 20% increase in transport efficiency and a 15% reduction in fuel consumption due to aerodynamic benefits. If successful, this technology will be rolled out across the port to address the chronic shortage of truck drivers during the Chinese New Year holiday.
Tianjin, China
🔹 Binhai Airport Completes First Cross-Border Air-to-Air Transfer (Jan 18): Tianjin Binhai International Airport successfully completed its first domestic cross-border export air-to-air transfer operation. Cargo originating from Shenzhen was flown to Tianjin via a domestic passenger flight, then transferred to a dedicated e-commerce warehouse for security screening and palletizing before being loaded onto a Japan-bound freighter. The entire process, from unloading to reloading, was completed in under one hour thanks to seamless coordination between ground handlers and customs. This achievement enhances Tianjin's role as a regional air cargo hub, offering faster connections for goods destined for Northeast Asia.
🔹 Tianjin Port Expands Cold Chain Storage for Meat Imports (Jan 21): To meet the massive demand for frozen meat and seafood ahead of the Chinese New Year, Tianjin Port expanded its cold chain warehouse capacity by 20%. The new facility features AI-driven inventory management that optimizes storage space and reduces energy consumption by 10%. The port also collaborated with local customs to implement a "ship-to-warehouse" direct delivery model for compliant frozen goods, eliminating the need for temporary storage at the terminal. This has reduced the clearance time for imported beef and mutton from Australia and New Zealand to just 4 hours.
🔹 Tianjin Port Expands Cold Chain Storage for Meat Imports (Jan 21): To meet the massive demand for frozen meat and seafood ahead of the Chinese New Year, Tianjin Port expanded its cold chain warehouse capacity by 20%. The new facility features AI-driven inventory management that optimizes storage space and reduces energy consumption by 10%. The port also collaborated with local customs to implement a "ship-to-warehouse" direct delivery model for compliant frozen goods, eliminating the need for temporary storage at the terminal. This has reduced the clearance time for imported beef and mutton from Australia and New Zealand to just 4 hours.
Qingdao, China
🔹 Qingdao Port Adopts Vacuum Mooring System (Jan 20): Qingdao Port announced the full deployment of an advanced automated vacuum mooring system across its container terminals. This innovative technology uses powerful suction pads to secure vessels to the quay wall in just 30 seconds, replacing traditional mooring ropes that typically take 30 minutes to fasten. The system significantly improves safety during rough weather and reduces the physical strain on dockworkers. It is estimated that this upgrade will save over 200 hours of vessel berthing time annually, directly contributing to higher turnover rates and lower emissions from idling ships.
🔹 Qingdao Airlines Adds Frequency to Seoul for Semiconductors (Jan 22): Qingdao Airlines increased the frequency of its Qingdao-Seoul cargo flights from 5 to 7 weekly to accommodate the growing demand for semiconductor components. The route utilizes B737-800BCF freighters, offering a combined weekly capacity of 350 tons. The airline introduced "priority boarding" for temperature-sensitive chip shipments, ensuring they are the first to be loaded and the last to be unloaded. This enhanced service guarantees a 6-hour door-to-door delivery window, supporting the just-in-time manufacturing requirements of South Korea's tech giants during their year-end production rush.
🔹 Qingdao Airlines Adds Frequency to Seoul for Semiconductors (Jan 22): Qingdao Airlines increased the frequency of its Qingdao-Seoul cargo flights from 5 to 7 weekly to accommodate the growing demand for semiconductor components. The route utilizes B737-800BCF freighters, offering a combined weekly capacity of 350 tons. The airline introduced "priority boarding" for temperature-sensitive chip shipments, ensuring they are the first to be loaded and the last to be unloaded. This enhanced service guarantees a 6-hour door-to-door delivery window, supporting the just-in-time manufacturing requirements of South Korea's tech giants during their year-end production rush.
International
Vietnam
🔹 Haiphong Port Enforces Strict "Four-Document" Verification (Jan 19): Following the release of Document No. 90 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Haiphong Port implemented rigorous new import inspection rules. The port now strictly verifies the consistency of the Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Sales Contract, and Bill of Lading, allowing a maximum value discrepancy of only 10%. This measure targets the suppression of trade fraud and undervaluation. To facilitate legitimate trade, the port established a pre-inspection platform in collaboration with Chinese logistics firms, allowing compliant goods to clear customs within 3 hours, thus stabilizing the cross-border supply chain.
🔹 Vietnam Railways Improves Transshipment at Lang Son (Jan 21): Vietnam Railways completed an upgrade of the transshipment facilities at the Lang Son border gate, the primary rail link with China. The upgrade introduced automated container gantry cranes to replace manual handling, significantly speeding up the transfer of goods between Chinese and Vietnamese rail gauges. This improvement reduces the border crossing time for freight trains from 6 hours to just 2 hours. The move is expected to boost the volume of cross-border rail cargo, particularly for textiles and electronics, by 25% in the coming months.
🔹 Vietnam Railways Improves Transshipment at Lang Son (Jan 21): Vietnam Railways completed an upgrade of the transshipment facilities at the Lang Son border gate, the primary rail link with China. The upgrade introduced automated container gantry cranes to replace manual handling, significantly speeding up the transfer of goods between Chinese and Vietnamese rail gauges. This improvement reduces the border crossing time for freight trains from 6 hours to just 2 hours. The move is expected to boost the volume of cross-border rail cargo, particularly for textiles and electronics, by 25% in the coming months.
South Korea
🔹 Busan Port Prepares for 21-Fold Surge in Chinese Cruises (Jan 19): Anticipating a massive influx of Chinese tourists due to the temporary visa-free policy, Busan Port announced comprehensive preparations to handle a projected 21-fold increase in cruise arrivals compared to last year. The port authority plans to open an additional 10 customs clearance counters and deploy multilingual staff to guide passenger flow. Furthermore, Busan Port is collaborating with local taxi associations and public transport to ensure seamless connectivity from the terminal to the city center. These measures aim to prevent congestion and ensure a positive experience for the expected 173 cruise ship visits this year.
🔹 Incheon Port Extends Cruise Terminal Hours for Overnight Stays (Jan 20): Incheon Port reported a sharp rise in Chinese cruise arrivals, with 44 voyages recorded in the first ten days of January alone. To accommodate the trend of longer stays, the port extended the operating hours of its International Passenger Terminal and expanded the parking area to handle more tourist buses. Incheon Port Authority also partnered with nearby duty-free shops and hotels to offer "Port-to-Door" discount packages. By enhancing the tourism logistics experience, the port aims to maximize the economic benefits of the cruise boom for the local economy.
🔹 Incheon Port Extends Cruise Terminal Hours for Overnight Stays (Jan 20): Incheon Port reported a sharp rise in Chinese cruise arrivals, with 44 voyages recorded in the first ten days of January alone. To accommodate the trend of longer stays, the port extended the operating hours of its International Passenger Terminal and expanded the parking area to handle more tourist buses. Incheon Port Authority also partnered with nearby duty-free shops and hotels to offer "Port-to-Door" discount packages. By enhancing the tourism logistics experience, the port aims to maximize the economic benefits of the cruise boom for the local economy.
United States
🔹 LA Port Faces Rate Plummet Despite Pre-Holiday Rush (Jan 21): Despite the typical pre-Chinese New Year rush, the Port of Los Angeles witnessed a sharp decline in spot freight rates on the Trans-Pacific route. Carriers, facing weak demand from US retailers, implemented blank sailings and aggressive rate cuts to fill vessels. This unexpected market behavior has disrupted the traditional seasonal rate hike. Logistics providers are advising shippers to lock in rates immediately, as capacity is expected to tighten suddenly in February when Chinese factories reopen, potentially causing a spike in shipping costs.
🔹 Walmart Expands Micro-Fulfillment Centers in Chicago (Jan 22): Walmart announced the opening of two new automated micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) in the Chicago area to speed up online grocery deliveries. These 20,000-square-foot facilities, located within existing supercenters, use robotics to retrieve items 5 times faster than traditional manual picking. The system can process up to 3,000 orders daily, reducing the average delivery time to under 30 minutes. This expansion is part of Walmart's strategy to compete with Amazon in urban markets, ensuring customers receive fresh produce and essentials quickly during the winter season.
🔹 Walmart Expands Micro-Fulfillment Centers in Chicago (Jan 22): Walmart announced the opening of two new automated micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) in the Chicago area to speed up online grocery deliveries. These 20,000-square-foot facilities, located within existing supercenters, use robotics to retrieve items 5 times faster than traditional manual picking. The system can process up to 3,000 orders daily, reducing the average delivery time to under 30 minutes. This expansion is part of Walmart's strategy to compete with Amazon in urban markets, ensuring customers receive fresh produce and essentials quickly during the winter season.
Bangladesh
🔹 Chittagong Port Struggles with Textile Machinery Backlog (Jan 22): Chittagong Port is currently operating at full capacity due to a massive influx of textile machinery imported from China. The surge is driven by local garment factories upgrading equipment to meet new EU sustainability standards. The port has been forced to implement a strict advance booking system for containers, and shipping lines are reporting full vessel space weeks in advance. To alleviate the congestion, the port extended terminal operating hours and prioritized the unloading of machinery containers, significantly reducing the dwell time for these critical imports.
🔹 Dhaka Inland Container Depot Launches RFID Tracking (Jan 23): The Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) introduced a comprehensive RFID tracking system to modernize its yard operations. Every container is now tagged with an RFID chip, allowing for real-time location tracking and automated inventory management. This technology has reduced the time required to locate a specific container from 45 minutes to just 2 minutes. The system also helps prevent container theft and pilferage, a common issue in the region. This upgrade is expected to increase the ICD's throughput capacity by 15% and improve the overall reliability of Bangladesh's inland logistics network.
🔹 Dhaka Inland Container Depot Launches RFID Tracking (Jan 23): The Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) introduced a comprehensive RFID tracking system to modernize its yard operations. Every container is now tagged with an RFID chip, allowing for real-time location tracking and automated inventory management. This technology has reduced the time required to locate a specific container from 45 minutes to just 2 minutes. The system also helps prevent container theft and pilferage, a common issue in the region. This upgrade is expected to increase the ICD's throughput capacity by 15% and improve the overall reliability of Bangladesh's inland logistics network.
Myanmar
🔹 Yangon Port Tightens Declaration Rules for Sino-Myanmar Trade (Jan 23): Mirroring regulatory trends in Vietnam, Yangon Port has implemented strict new inspection protocols for cargo arriving from China. The port is piloting a "four-document consistency" check for textiles and electronics, requiring strict alignment between the origin certificate, invoice, contract, and bill of lading. Cargo with value discrepancies exceeding 10% is being flagged for physical inspection. The new rules aim to standardize trade practices and reduce smuggling. Importers are advised to ensure all documentation is accurate to avoid delays and potential declaration rejection.
🔹 Myanmar Railways Restores Mandalay-Naypyidaw Freight Service (Jan 21): Myanmar Railways successfully restored the freight train service between Mandalay and Naypyidaw, which had been suspended due to infrastructure damage. The restored service utilizes refurbished diesel locomotives and improved tracks to transport agricultural products and construction materials. The railway is offering discounted rates for the first month to attract shippers away from road transport. This development is crucial for stabilizing domestic logistics costs and providing a reliable alternative to the congested highways during the dry season.
🔹 Myanmar Railways Restores Mandalay-Naypyidaw Freight Service (Jan 21): Myanmar Railways successfully restored the freight train service between Mandalay and Naypyidaw, which had been suspended due to infrastructure damage. The restored service utilizes refurbished diesel locomotives and improved tracks to transport agricultural products and construction materials. The railway is offering discounted rates for the first month to attract shippers away from road transport. This development is crucial for stabilizing domestic logistics costs and providing a reliable alternative to the congested highways during the dry season.
Share this article :
top