Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Port handles export of over 1 mln automobiles in first 10 months

Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Port handled the export of over one million Chinese-made vehicles in the first 10 months of 2024, reaching the milestone two months earlier than last year.

This achievement contributes significantly to China's overall vehicle export surge as the nation exported 4.855 million vehicles during the same period, a 23.8 percent year-on-year increase.

The Waigaoqiao port customs handled the export of a total of 1.077 million vehicles during the January-October period, including both new and used cars. This success is partly attributed to a new regular shipping service from Shanghai to South American destinations, including Peru, by China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (COSCO Shipping).

The new route provides a stable monthly service connecting Shanghai and the Chancay Port in Peru.

"This new shipping route has broken the monopoly of foreign ship owners, providing a safe and efficient channel for Chinese auto exports to Latin America. It has greatly improved the transportation efficiency and reduced logistics costs for commodity vehicles and large equipment between the two places," said Luo Ning, captain of the COSCO Shipping Auto Carrier Fleet.

With the launch of new shipping routes from Shanghai to Chancay, the customs in Waigaoqiao Port area has leveraged its one-stop service capabilities to ensure seamless coordination between the dock, shipping agents, and automotive manufacturers. This approach guarantees "zero waiting" and "zero delays" for domestic vehicle exports.

Chen Jia, head of the Inspection Division at Waigaoqiao Port Customs, emphasized the importance of streamlining processes such as customs clearance, inspections, and logistics.

"We have streamlined process links such as customs clearance, inspection, and logistics, and opened a green channel for auto exports. In the first 10 months of this year, the customs of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port handled the export of 1.077 million Chinese-made automobiles, a year-on-year increase of 28.8 percent," said Chen.

According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, the Waigaoqiao Port's international auto terminal handled the export of around 1.025 million vehicles last year, and the export volume is expected to reach 1.2 million this year.

Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Port handles export of over 1 mln automobiles in first 10 months

The second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which started in Beijing on Tuesday, drew global influential figures from various sectors to offer unique insights into the evolving landscape of global trade and the importance of collaboration.

Themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future," the expo focuses on critical points across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of various chains.

Compared with the previous edition, this year's event boasts a higher number of exhibiting companies, more international participants, and a larger crowd.

John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Center, is one of the global business leaders at Monday's welcome and networking banquet. He emphasized the necessity for businesses to adapt in a world characterized by unpredictability.

"This is a good place to find out what else you can do with China and actually kind of minimize your risk. Because we now live in a world where black swans are our own, let's say, prevalent, which they weren't before. Therefore, you have to be far more agile and having the kind of base of China available to you, actually de risks it from some respects," McLean said.

Many of these firms place China at the core of the global supply chain, integral to international business, trade and global markets.

"We know the world is difficult. There are many issues, but I think we can bid on China continuing to be in a very significant economy with a very strong middle class. Very smart people are leading the way on many things," said Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand.

Some of these company representatives even consider China a second home.

"I live in here more than 10 years, so that's why I'm feeling China, Shanghai is my second home. Having this kind of strong supply chain expo is a great opportunity for our companies to meet each other and have the cooperation together," said Atakan Bozkurt, CEO of Burger King China.

Global firms gather in Beijing to boost supply chain resilience