The roll-on/roll-off ship Chegu at Hannan Port. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
On March 25, the roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ship Chegu embarked on its maiden voyage, marking a pivotal moment for Wuhan's Hannan Port.
This journey signifies a leap forward in international connectivity for the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ), propelling "China's Auto Valley" towards becoming the "World Auto Valley".
Chegu transported 650 new energy vehicles from Wuhan Port's Hannan area to Shanghai's Haitong Terminal. From there, they continue their journey to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.
During the launch event, WEDZ and Hubei Port Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement, unveiling the Yangtze River Midstream Automobile (Export) Distribution Center. This partnership aims to establish a national logistics hub and foster port-adjacent industries to boost export capacity.
WEDZ, located at the Yangtze River's entry point in Wuhan, boasts 28 kilometers of deep-water shoreline, constituting 32.9 percent of Wuhan's navigable shoreline. In January, the Ministry of Transport approved the temporary opening of Wuhan Port's Hannan area, permitting international vessels to dock and enhancing the region's export capabilities.
The Hannan port area, equipped for automotive ro-ro trade in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, includes the Dengnan Terminal. This terminal features a 3,000-ton berth capable of accommodating 5,000-ton vessels, with an annual capacity of 155,000 vehicles.
The nearby Shamao Terminal covers 240 mu (16 hectares) and offers 330 meters of shoreline with three 5,000-ton multi-functional berths, a container throughput capacity of 300,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), and a bulk cargo capacity of 1.5 million metric tons.
Following the temporary opening of Hannan Port, vehicles manufactured in WEDZ can complete customs procedures within the zone in no more than two working days. They can then proceed via river-sea intermodal transport to coastal terminals for export, reducing export costs by at least 1,000 yuan ($137) per vehicle compared to traditional methods.
Later this year, the port will also launch a direct international route from WEDZ to Nagoya, Japan. From Dengnan Terminal, the port plans to export 30,000 new energy vehicles and parts to Europe and America.
In 2024, WEDZ provided port and logistics services for major automotive companies such as Dongfeng, Changan, SAIC, and Geely, achieving a throughput of 700,000 vehicles.
Chegu departs Hannan Port. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
