Nansha Port Sets New Growth Pace with Ambitious Capacity Upgrade

Guangzhou’s Nansha Port is entering a new phase of accelerated expansion, with container throughput expected to surpass 22 million TEUs this year. Driven by large-scale investment and sustained growth momentum, Nansha is positioning itself as one of South China’s most dynamic international gateways, with average annual volume rising by 1 million TEUs during the 14th Five-Year Plan cycle.

On November 28, officials at the Greater Bay Area Port & Logistics Conference highlighted a series of port-enhancement initiatives that are reshaping Nansha into a strategically advanced hub for global supply chains.

Massive Investment to Modernize Terminals and Boost Capacity

Guangzhou Port Group announced a ¥26-billion investment program covering terminal automation, berth construction, smart-port technologies, and major logistics infrastructure. These upgrades are designed to elevate Nansha’s handling efficiency, improve vessel turnaround, and expand the port’s ability to support South China’s growing export demand.

New projects include:

  • Automated container yards and digitalized operating systems
  • Expanded capacity for ro-ro cargo, bulk cargo, and bunker services
  • New logistics corridors enhancing regional multimodal connectivity
  • Upgraded channel depth and navigation efficiency

The port’s overall capability will be significantly enhanced once these projects reach full operation.

Nansha to Add 60+ International Services and Reinforce Gateway Role

As the core deepwater facility within Guangzhou Port, Nansha will introduce more than 60 new international shipping routes during the 14th Five-Year Plan. This expansion strengthens its direct connections to the Pearl River Delta, the Beibu Gulf, Southeast Asia, and emerging Belt & Road markets.

Operational highlights include:

  • Coal-handling capacity exceeding 40 million tons
  • Ro-ro throughput surpassing 1.5 million units
  • Sea–rail intermodal throughput rising to 1.1 million TEUs
  • New inland dry-port and logistics center development to expand hinterland reach

Nansha’s growing network is expected to play an even greater role in channeling trade flows from Central and Western China toward global shipping lanes.

Looking Ahead: Further ¥20 Billion Investment During the 15th Five-Year Plan

Guangzhou Port Group confirmed another ¥20 billion in planned investment for the next development phase, emphasizing:

  • New automated terminal construction
  • A upgraded ro-ro engineering complex
  • High-efficiency container handling processes
  • Optimized vessel scheduling and operational cost reduction

The port will also deepen cooperation with international carriers, expand coverage on major trade lanes, and accelerate the integration of Nansha’s role into global maritime networks.

Advancing Multimodal Transport and Faster Corridor Transit

A key priority for Nansha is enhancing multimodal transport efficiency. The port is advancing a combined “rail + feeder” express network and expanding rail-water integration using:

  • Single-waybill,
  • Single-box, and
  • All-inclusive pricing models

These changes aim to streamline inland–port supply chains and improve overall logistics efficiency.

Under the “Xiang–Guang–Maritime Silk Road Express,” transit between Hunan and Southeast Asia has already been reduced to five days, creating a faster and more predictable logistics corridor.

Winsail Insight: What This Means for Global Shippers

Nansha’s rapid expansion underscores the port’s ambition to become a premier alternative to traditional Pearl River Delta gateways. For exporters and importers, the upgrades mean:

  • More carrier choices and sailing frequency
  • Improved schedule reliability through enhanced automation
  • Lower inland logistics costs via rail–water integration
  • Higher capacity resilience during peak seasons

As South China’s export landscape continues shifting toward advanced manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, Nansha is emerging as a strategic port of choice for shippers seeking stable, scalable, and cost-efficient logistics solutions.

To optimize your China–global supply chain strategy—whether via Nansha, Shenzhen, or any other major port—Winsail can provide route planning, cost analysis, and multimodal solutions tailored to your cargo needs.

Winsail Logistics provides reliable sea, air, and RoRo shipping solutions from China to over 60 countries worldwide.